WATER BOTTLING COMPANY FINED FOR BREACH OF THE ENVIRONMENT (SINGLE-USE PLASTIC BAN) REGULATION 2023
The Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management & Meteorology (MECMD), through the Environment & Conservation Division (ECD), with the support of a joint enforcement task-force, continues to monitor and report breaches of the Environment (Single-Use Plastic Ban) Regulation 2023.
The ban comes into force, banning the importation, manufacturing, distribution, supply, and sale of five categories of single-use plastic products in the country.
Banned PET bottled water <1.5Litres (Small water bottles)
A Water Bottling Company was recently fined for breach of the Environment (Single-Use Plastic Ban) Regulation 2023. This is the latest case of breach that was found guilty in relation to the supply and distribution of banned single-use plastic PET bottled water, contained in less than 1.5 litres, during the Miss Pageant event last year in Honiara.
Photo: Prohibited plastic PET Bottled water contained in less than 1.5L distributed during the Miss Pageant last year in Honiara (copyright: SIBC)
Following the completion of a full investigation, charges were laid, and a fine of SBD $20,000 was paid to the Ministry of Finance & Treasury by the water bottling company on 2nd February 2026. This outcome indicates the seriousness of the joint enforcement task force to fully regulate and enforce the regulations.
Deputy Secretary Corporate of the Ministry and Chair of the Plastic Regulations Committee commends the general public and businesses for the high level of compliance since the regulation came into place. One of the results from this work is that you will no longer find most of the banned items on the streets or in retail outlets.
The Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management & Meteorology is continuing with its waste management program with the support of its partners, addressing the pertinent challenges of capacity and awareness. However, the inter-agency enforcement has proven effective in monitoring, reporting, and prosecuting violations.
The Director of the Environment & Conservation Division encourages the public to support the government and its partners in phasing out single-use plastics and to promote the reduction, reuse, and recycling of single-use plastic products. In doing so, we can contribute to waste management in the country to keep it clean. The general public was also urged to report any breach of the regulation to the relevant authorities, either to the Environment & Conservation Division or the Police, to enforce compliance.
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MECDM PRESS