Towards Osaka Blue Ocean Vision - G20 Implementation Framework for Actions on Marine Plastic Litter

Antigua and Barbuda

Actions and Progress on Marine Plastic Litter
Last Update : 2023/03/14

Measures

Measures

Achievements

Prevention and reduction of plastic waste generation

Charge for single-use plastic products (e.g. shopping bags, straws)

Names of actions:
Shopping Plastic Bag and Styrofoam Ban Monitoring Unit

Targeted products:
“Styrofoam”, bowls, plates, hot and cold beverage cups and lids and caps). Single use plastic utensils (Straws, forks, knives, spoons, etc), fruit/vegetable/meat trays and egg cartons

Brief description:
Aim to reduce the environmental impacts of plastic on the environment as a means of curbing pollution

We have seen a positive improvement over the last two years

Comments:
Monitoring team confiscation from the period of 2018-2020

Numerical data:
10,898 kg

Actions for encouraging sustainable / circular product design

Names of actions:
Plastic Waste Free Islands Antigua and Barbuda

Brief description:
The initiative’s overarching goal is to drive the circular economy agenda forward and to reduce plastic waste generation and leakage from islands.

We have seen a positive improvement over the last two years

 

MONTH TOTAL MONTHLY COLLECTION WEIGHT OF MONTHLY COLLECTION (LBS) WEIGHT OF MONTHLY COLLECTION (KG)
JULY 51,297 2,532.72 1,151.24
AUGUST 101,875 4,901.42 2,227.92
SEPTEMBER 123,420 5,996.52 2,725.69
OCTOBER 145,510 6951.80 3,159.91
NOVEMBER 169,568 7868.89 3,576.77
TOTAL 591,670 28,251.35 12,841.52

Measures

Achievements

Environmentally sound waste management

Prevention of littering, illegal dumping and unintentional leakage of waste into the ocean

Names of actions:
Litter Control and Prevention Act 2019

Brief description:
This Act prohibits the deposit of waste in public places other than those that are designated for such deposit, defines various offences in relation with littering and provides for the appointment of litter prevention wardens by public authority and powers of appointed wardens.

No particular change observed

Comments:
Due to cultural influences of a mixed population and norms it has influence a growing neglect for waste and increased the need of behavioral attitude change.

Numerical data:
2019-2022 over 10 cases going to court and in excess of 50 litter tickets issues amount to over 5000 ec

Measures

Achievements

Cleanup of marine plastic litter

Collection of scattered waste on beach

Names of actions:
National Cleanup 2018

Brief description:
Total cleanup targeting bulk waste and the coastal areas

No particular change observed

Comments:
This is done on a regular basis by both private sectors and NGOS however data is not collected. Data provided here is only a reflection of 2018

Numerical data:
The Coastal clean-up resulted in approximately one hundred bags taken from the offshore. A total of one hundred seventeen trips to the landfill with a total of 248.44 tonnes. − Shell beach -210 bags Fort James- 15 bags − Pensioners beach- 125 bags Jabberwock- 66 bags − Wetherill’s beach- 89 bags Dark wood- Morris bay- 53 bags − Little Ffryes, big Ffryes, valley church English Harbour- 175 bags − Runaway beach- 20 bag Halfmoon bay- 40 bags

Removal of plastic litter from the ocean
 

We have seen a positive improvement over the last two years

Comments:
Actions are carried out however no available data for quantification

Measures

Achievements

Promotion of innovative solutions

Policy actions for encouraging plastic alternatives (e.g. biodegradable plastics, circular product design – including use of recycled materials or closed-loop recycling)

Names of actions:
Biodegradable Waiver

Brief description:
Duties removed from good to act as an incentive to promote sustainable products and services

We have seen a positive improvement over the last two years
Public-private partnerships for creating and implementing innovative solution

Names of actions:
Carib Wish Foundation

Brief description:
Utilizes plastic cap to make upcycled products such as souvenirs. Plastic waste free island has increased the amount of caps received and with the Antigua and Barbuda Waste Recycling Corporation with relaying the caps over.

We have seen a positive improvement over the last two years

Comments:
However have been unable to get baseline data on volumes produced

Measures

Achievements

Education and awareness raising

Education system for encouraging public awareness on MPL issues
  We have seen a positive improvement over the last two years
Awareness-raising campaigns related to MPL

National level:

Names of actions:
IUCN Plastic Waste Free Island

Brief description:
Bring awareness of plastics and the effects of pollution

National level:

We have seen a positive improvement over the last two years

Numerical data:
Billboards, or the Production of One 60 Television Advertisement for Ministry of Health, Antigua & Barbuda. (Specs. HD 1920 X 1080, 24fps, Mov)

Challenges

  • Recycling system improvement
  • Proper waste management system (including lack of local capacity)
  • Data collection related to waste in general
  • Data collection related to marine plastic litter
  • Lack of financial incentives for waste treatment in general
  • Lack of financial incentives for technology development
  • Project delays due to COVID-19

Best practices

Private sector

Antigua and Barbuda Waste Recycling Corporation- recycling plant
Will’s Recycling- recycling
West Indies Sail Heritage Foundation is under construction (caribwish.com)– upscaling business for plastic waste

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