St. Vincent and the Grenadines bans non-environmentally friendly material : Styrofoams

Public Notice

As a major environmental initiative effective 1st May 2017, the Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines has places a ban on the importation of Polystyrene (Styrofoam) products.

The environmental impacts of Styrofoam - which is non biodegradable, difficult to recycle and ubiquitous remains a challenge. Additionally, the Report on Carcinogens, Fourteenth Edition of the United States Department of Health and Human Services, states that Styrene is “reasonably anticipated to be human carcinogen” with “increased mortality from or incidence of cancer of lymphohematopoietic system” demonstrated in some clinical studies.

The immediate ban was placed on Styrofoam containers that are used to sell and package food and beverage. The objectives of the ban are to :

  • Prohibit the importation, manufacture and sale of expanded polystyrene food service products in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
  • Prohibit the use or provision of expanded polystyrene food service products in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
  • Promote and encourage the use of biodegradable, recyclable and other environmentally friendly containers or packaging for food in lieu of expanded polystyrene products.

For more information

Saint Vincent To Implement A Styrofoam Ban

OECS Communications Unit

Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States

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The Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) is an International Organisation dedicated to economic harmonisation and integration, protection of human and legal rights, and the encouragement of good governance among independent and non-independent countries in the Eastern Caribbean. The OECS came into being on June 18th 1981, when seven Eastern Caribbean countries signed a treaty agreeing to cooperate with each other while promoting unity and solidarity among its Members. The Treaty became known as the Treaty of Basseterre, so named in honour of the capital city of St. Kitts and Nevis where it was signed. The OECS today, currently has eleven members, spread across the Eastern Caribbean comprising Antigua and Barbuda, Commonwealth of Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, St. Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, St Vincent and The Grenadines, British Virgin Islands, Anguilla, Martinique and Guadeloupe. 

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