BY JOHN HOUANIHAU
One case relating to the violation of the plastic ban regulation is currently with the court while another is under investigation.
Wendy Beti, chief environment officer of the Environment and Conservation division provided the update during the Global Recycling Day 2025 SIBC Radio Talk Back show on Sunday.
She said that the regulation comes into force on the 1st of September 2023 and its full implementation comes in place second of March 2024.
“Recently we have one case where that is currently with the court and there is another case currently under investigation,” said Beti.
“On the plastic ban, as we know, the regulation that bans single-use plastic focuses on five types of items, Plastic shopping bags, Plastic straws, PET water bottles less than 1.5 litres, Polystyrofoam takeaway plates cups forks and spoons and Plastic cups, plates and cutleries (knives, forks and spoons),” she said.
She stressed that Businesses or vendors are supposed not to distribute, sell or supply those products.
Beti said that the Ministry with stakeholders including the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF), Honiara City Council (HCC) Law enforcement department, and Customs, collaborated previously to carry out joint monitoring throughout last year.
“Monitoring still going on,” she said.
She said that the Ministry called on the public for anyone with information on any non-compliance with the plastic ban to report it.
“Because the moment anyone still distributes, sells or distributes those banned items, you are breaking the regulation,” said Beti.
She further said that the enforcement agencies comprised of different stakeholders are still working closely together to carry out enforcement plastic ban in the country.
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