Earlier this February, US President, Donald J. Trump, signed an executive order, that reversed efforts to replace plastic straws with paper straws citing reasons that they “don’t work” and “dissolves in the mouths of consumers”.
Environmental Officer, of the Department of Environment in St. Kitts, Lynelle Morton, commented on this:
There is just over a month left in Phase 1of the ban on single use plastics, which started on December 31st, 2024 when the import of t-shirt shopping bags were prohibited. On March 31st, the sale and distribution of these items will not be allowed.
Phase 2, set to begin on April 30th 2025, plastic straws and Styrofoam food containers will no longer be imported and they should no longer be distributed or sold after July 31st 2025.
August 31st 2025, begins the final phase where the importation of single use plastic cups, utensils, and plates will halt. Distribution of such items will be restricted after November 30th, 2025.
