The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE), through its Waste Management and Pollution Control Division over the past two (2) days conducted a series of stakeholder workshops to strengthen awareness, compliance, monitoring and enforcement of the Waste (Plastic Bag) Management Regulation 2018.
The workshop brought together retailers, supermarkets, vendors and other businesses involved in the importation and distribution of plastic products. It focused on the requirements of the Regulations, including the prohibition of plastic shopping bags, plastic straws, and polystyrene or Styrofoam cups and plates.
Recent monitoring by the Ministry has shown that while general awareness and compliance have improved, some prohibited plastic products continue to be imported or distributed, and concerns remain regarding the misuse of exempted clear plastic bags. These findings highlight the need for continued awareness, regular monitoring and stronger enforcement to improve compliance.
The workshop also provided an opportunity for businesses to raise practical concerns, including the cost and availability of suitable alternatives and the limited options available to some small-scale operators. These issues will help inform the Ministry’s ongoing review of the Regulations, including consideration of existing provisions and measures that may further support compliance.
The Ministry acknowledges the continued support of the Pacific Ocean Litter Project (POLP), SPREP and the Australian Government in strengthening Samoa’s efforts to reduce single-use plastic waste and improve enforcement.
The Ministry will continue to work closely with the private sector and other partners to strengthen compliance with the Regulations and support the shared goal of keeping a cleaner and more resilient Samoa, free from banned single-use plastics.