By Belize Live News Staff: Belize’s Department of the Environment has announced plans to strictly enforce regulations on single-use plastics, following the passage of a 2020 bill aimed at phasing out such products. The country introduced standards for biodegradable plastics in 2022, requiring them to be composed of at least 50% bio-based content and to degrade within 365 days.
However, recent market surveillance revealed that many products on the market did not meet these standards. Chief Environmental Officer Anthony Mai explained that an assessment of 17 companies, including 13 importers and four manufacturers, showed a significant number of products falsely labeled as biodegradable.
“We found that many of the products tested were not meeting the national standard,” said Mai. “We have informed the companies involved and given them time to adjust their stock. Products that do not comply will no longer be allowed into the country.”
Mai further noted that businesses failing to meet the standards could face penalties ranging from $10,000 to $20,000 Belize dollars for violations related to importing and manufacturing non-compliant products. The Department of the Environment plans to begin assessments of products in supermarkets in the coming months.
Despite the crackdown, some importers are reportedly still smuggling non-compliant plastics into the country, according to Mai.
