Page 14 - ARUBA TODAY

A14 LOCAL
Monday 2 deceMber 2019
Plastic ban: the law has passed

The ordinance:
The government of Aruba together with Entities of the pri-
vate sector of Aruba

Endorsement
Considering:
• The increased environmental challenges the world is
facing as well as Aruba;
• The UN 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG's),
especially SDG's 12,13,14 and 15, focused on the im-
portance of responsible consumption, safeguarding
of oceans and terrestrials areas as well as climate ac-
tion;
• The importance of the protection of Aruba's coral
reefs and marine life, greatly under pressure due to
increased human activity;
• The importance of sustainable business practices in
order to safeguard Aruba's economy, environment
and the well-being of its citizens;
• The leadership role the private sector of Aruba has
taken regarding the sector's contribution towards
ORANJESTAD —The island’s government benzone is to be prohibited in Aruba. The combating plastic pollution and the degradation of
made a decision in 2017 to ban all single ban is effective in 2019, with a one-year Aruba's natural resources;
use plastic bags and has now extended it transition period to a total ban in 2020. The • The importance of cross-sector collaboration for solv-
to include items as plastic cups and straws Plastic Ban Ordinance will go into effect ing societal and environmental matters;
and Styrofoam boxes, such as disposable as of July 1st 2020, together with the list of • The government's ambition to fortify and instill a sense
coolers. Also, sunscreens containing oxy- products that are prohibited. of pride, love and ownership within all individuals that
live or visit Aruba and to further evoke the realization
that there is only one Aruba

Decide:
To endorse the law banning the use of singe use plastics
and Oxybenzone (Landsverordening verbod op voor het
milieu schadelijke producten) and to stimulate construc-
tive and continuous dialogue as well as awareness re-
garding sustainable business practices.
GOA & Private Sector endorsement
This endorsement does not, nor is it intended to, create
any binding, legal obligations under domestic or interna-
tional law Signed in Aruba on 27 November 2019.

What type of products are prohibited?
• Single use plastic bags with any type of handle;
• Single use plastic bags in supermarkets to pack fruit
and vegetables;
• Single use plastic cutlery;
• Single use plastic/styrofoam cups; Single use plastic
stirrers; Single use plastic straws;
• Single use plastic/styrofoam plates;
• Single use plastic/styrofoam containers used for im-
mediate consumption like fast food containers;
• Suntan lotion/cream with Oxybenzone;
• Biodegradable products not mentioned in the list of
exempted products.

What type of single use products exempt until further no-
tice?
• Single use plastic straw for medical use;
• Single use plastic/styrofoam recipient for cold cuts
and raw meats;
• Saran wrap; Plastic lids (non plastic/styrofoam/biode-
gradable) on allowed containers/cups; Plastic food
packages used for prepackaging products by local
food manufactures for whole sale, their products fall
under the exemption in 'deel A & B - indicated as
"drankverpakkingen, borden en zakjes en wikkels die
voedingsmiddelen bevatten";

What is the scope of the prohibition?
• Import of the prohibited products;
• Manufacturing of the prohibited products;
• Sale of the prohibited products;
• To offer of the prohibited products; q