Ban on Single-Use Plastics Faced with Delay in Implementation

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): The businesses and environmental organizations are in contention as implementation of single-use plastics ban faces unprecedented delay in Peurto Rico.

The Law 51-2022, which bans single-use plastic items like cups, plates, and utensils was supposed to take effect this summer. The trade and restaurants associations have raised objections against implementation of the legislation stating that the government has not yet published necessary regulations. The trade associations justify the delay as they claim that the law lacks clarity on prohibited products.

RELATED NEWS:

The Global Plastic Crisis: Threats, Solutions, and the Way Forward

PlastTechFree Comments on Single-Use Bag Ban Study

Meantime, the environmental groups accused merchant groups for lobbying for the delay. They also criticized government agencies for failing to fulfil its legal mandates towards successful implementation of the legislation. Leading environment organization CAMBIO strongly opposed the proposed postponement.

It must be noted that Peurto Rico has been ignoring the full implementation of the 1992 Recycling Law (Law 70), which proposes to achieve a recycling target of 35% by 1996. The current recycling rate is just over 7%, said the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources (DRNA) during a recent Senate hearing.