epic tiger shark diving expeditions
  • Home
  • Shark Diving
    • Tiger Beach Bahamas
    • Oceanic Whitetip
    • Great Hammerhead
    • M/V Thresher
  • FAQs
    • FAQs
    • Know Before You Go
  • Blog
    • Bahamas Shark Diving
    • Shark Species
    • Photography
    • Conservation
    • Community
    • Shark Diving Reports
  • About
  • Contact

Bahamas Shark Diving

plastic ocean pollution

Bahamas ban plastic and styrofoam

Jan 15 2020
2 Comments
Epic
conservation, pollution

A new task force has been created in the Bahamas to ban all single use plastics and styrofoam by 2020. This includes things like plastic bags, straws, food utensils, and the ubiquitous styrofoam takeout containers.

The task force is made up of The Ministry of Tourism, The Ministry of Health, The Ministry of Finance, The Customs Department, The University of The Bahamas, The Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employers Federation (BCCEC), The Bahamas Plastic Movement, The Nature Conservancy (TNC), Atlantis Paradise Island and Baha Mar Ltd.

The Bahamas will join a growing list of over 40 countries that have already, or are in the process of banning these products. Such bans are critical to reducing waste and pollution. Typically used for only 15 minutes, these items take between 500 – 1000 years to break down in land fills. In addition, they have created a dire situation of ocean pollution. It affects the health of animals, humans, and the environment.

Questions & Answers

  • Why is a Single-Use Plastics and Styrofoam Ban important to The Bahamas?

Plastic and Styrofoam waste affects human health, animals, and the environment. The overuse of plastics and Styrofoam has resulted in the widespread pollution and contamination of our environment. That threatens our marine and terrestrial biodiversity. Often found scattered as litter throughout our communities and left on public beaches particularly after holiday festivities. Plastic and Styrofoam litter diminishes the beauty of our islands which attracts millions of tourists annually. The Bahamas Plastic Movement estimates that it could cause The Bahamas up to $8.5 million in tourism losses annually; a lost we cannot afford! Bahamas will ban plastic and styrofoam.

  • When will the ban be in effect?

The Ministry of Environment and Housing created a taskforce comprising of The Ministry of Tourism, The Ministry of Health, The Ministry of Finance, The Customs Department, The University of The Bahamas, The Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employers Federation (BCCEC), The Nature Conservancy (TNC), Atlantis Paradise Island and Baha Mar Ltd., to advance an inclusive national campaign to phase out single-use plastics such as plastic bags, straws, food utensils and Styrofoam containers. The Bahamas ban will be in place by 2020.

  • What is the timeline for the phased ban?

The Ministry of Environment and Housing will embark on nation-wide public consultation and education campaign. Public input from these meetings will be used to develop a manageable phase-out plan with the target deadline of January 1st, 2020.

Bahamas Ban Plastic and Styrofoam

  • What does this project mean for the management of the New Providence Landfill and RFP Process?

Due to our isolated archipelago nature, condensed populations and tourist dominated economy, we are challenged with finding effective solutions to solid waste management. Rethinking solid waste management, this ban provides an opportunity to reduce plastic and Styrofoam waste sent to landfills which although used for approximately 15 minutes, take between 500 and 1000 years to break down. This is the first step towards developing a national waste management strategy for The Bahamas. Bahamas to ban plastic and styrofoam.

  • How will this ban impact food and retail outlets?

The Ministry of Environment and Housing will conduct two rounds of public consultations with retail outlets, restaurants, and hotels. Feedback at the Bahamas ban gathered will assist the Ministry in developing an alternative list that meets the demand and needs of businesses.

  • Will the government reduce duty and Value Added Tax?

Customs and Finance have representatives on the Task Force and we are working with them to outline the correct protocol to reduce taxes on approved alternatives and to improve incentives for business operations. During the first round of consultations, we will be asking for the public input on proposed incentive options and approved product alternatives.

  • Will the public be involved in this process?

There will be two rounds of public consultations. The first round is projected to start at the end of April with businesses operations, environmental groups and town hall meetings.

Family Island consultations first round will start mid-June and during the summer the team will conduct a Summer Camp Crawl to engage students during the break.

At the end of the first round, we will compile all recommendations for alternatives to the Bahamas ban on plastic and styrofoam and incentives and have a comprehensive piece of legislation for final comments.

  • When can we expect to see any legislation for this ban?

Without any unforeseen setbacks, our target deadline is the end of August after we have completed all first round consultations.

Bahamas to ban plastic ocean pollution
image used under Creative Commons: MichaelisScientists
  • The Shark Fin Ban That Should Be Banned
  • Shark Fin Ban likely in Texas
  • Bill in Congress to Ban Baited Shark Dives
  • International Shark Finning Bans and Policies

Social Share

  • google-share

2 Comments

  1. Roger Auge August 2, 2020 at 11:54 pm Reply

    Good for the Bahamas. Keep up the good work. Also, don’t let people in the country with plastic bottles, and even ballpoint pens.

    • Epic August 3, 2020 at 2:29 am Reply

      Thanks for checking out our site!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

*
*

Popular Posts

bahamas tiger beach shark diving

Day Trips to Tiger Beach Bahamas: Shark Diving Experience

90 Comments
tiger beach day trips

Tiger Beach Day Trips: Shark Diving in the Bahamas

39 Comments
shark senses ampullae of lorenzeni

Shark Senses - How Do Sharks Hunt Their Prey?

23 Comments

Recent Posts

  • Featured Filmmaker: OceanShutter
  • Shark Feeding Controversy
  • International Shark Attack File: 2021 Summary
  • Shark Feeding Ban Proposed for Florida Keys
  • Hammerhead Shark Evolution

Newsletter Sign-up

Slide Get started on your life-changing adventure today. Join Epic Diving for the best Bahamas Shark Diving. Visit the world-famous Tiger Beach Bahamas, dive with Great Hammerhead sharks, or drift in the blue with Oceanic Whitetips! Contact US TIGER BEACH Oceanic Whitetips Great Hammerheads epic tiger shark diving expeditions © EPIC DIVING 2023 Privacy Policy Terms of Use