An audit of the existing stock of Styrofoam food containers in the country must be completed before a date can be set for the enforcement of the ban on the use and sale of such containers.
This disclosure was made to Stabroek News on Wednesday by Minister of Natural Resources Raphael Trotman. It comes more than seven months after the David Granger administration had indicated that the importation and use of Styrofoam locally would be banned from the beginning of this year.
“The Government of Guyana, in its thrust to promote a green economy and environment is moving ahead with plans to ban the importation and use of closed-cell extruded polystyrene foam, popularly known by the trade mark brand, Styrofoam, as of January 1, 2016,” a statement from the Ministry of the Presidency had said in October. Several weeks later, it was announced that a grace period of three months would be given to enable existing stocks of the containers and stocks already ordered, to be utilised. This grace period was expected to conclude at the end of March.
Since then, it is evident that a number of businesses have made the transition to biodegradable alternatives. However, Stabroek News has also observed that a number of city businesses continue to utilise the Styrofoam container.
Quizzed on this, Trotman said that while the restriction on importation and manufacture of Styro-foam is being enforced by the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) and the Compliance Division of the Environmental Protec-tion Agency (EPA), the restriction on the use and sale of the product will be enforced later in the year.
This, he said, would allow for the consumption of the existing stock that was in the country prior to the enforcement of the ban on importation and manufacture. He further said that an audit of the existing stock has started and will be used to guide the identification of the date for enforcement of the ban on the use and sale of Styrofoam food service containers.
Trotman noted that the Environmental Protection Styrofoam Ban Regula-tions 2015 provides for the ban. The regulations are specific to the food service industry where the product is most commonly used. At the moment, the EPA through a Styrofoam Ban Task Force, works with relevant stakeholders in ensuring the successful implementation of the ban. The GRA has ceased processing declarations for persons desirous of importing Styrofoam food containers as of January 01, 2016.
The minister pointed out that Styrofoam fish boxes are allowed as they are exported to other countries.
