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(CNS): Local activists are urging the Cayman Islands Government to enforce the law when it implements the proposed ban on some single-use plastics. Plastic Free Cayman told CNS that they were delighted to see progress on an issue they have been campaigning for since 2017. As seen with past environmental initiatives such as the litter policy, enforcement is a key aspect of any piece of legislation, the non-profit said.

However, they questioned how the ban would be monitored and asked the government to explain the phasing-out period and the penalties or fines issued for ignoring the ban. “Our team has been proposing a ban since 2017 as a step to help combat the growing issues surrounding plastic pollution,” a spokesperson for the NGO founded by Claire Hughes said. “As an island territory, we control our imports.



This ban is a step in the right direction as Cayman joins 14 other Caribbean islands in the efforts to mitigate plastic pollution.” The first attempt at implementing firm legislation was derailed by the pandemic, and the activists welcomed last week’s announcement that the customs legislation was being amended to roll out the ban on imports, though they pointed out that the timeline had not been announced. “We hope that Cabinet expedites the process, as thousands of students in Cayman have written government letters over the years pleading for this type of legislation,” PFC added in their statement.

How the law will be monitored and enforced remains key to.

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