The National Environment and Planning Agency, NEPA, says twelve businesses in St James have been charged for breaches under the Natural Resources Conservation Authority Order.
The matters will be heard in the St. James Parish Court today.
NEPA says the charges were brought as the businesses were observed in possession of commercial quantities of drinking straws attached to juice boxes and single-use plastic bags.
Director of Legal and Enforcement at NEPA, Morjorn Wallock, explained that the charges are coming out of Operation Restore Paradise which is a collaborative effort amongst several government partners to include the Jamaica Constabulary Force.
NEPA is reminding the public that under the the Natural Resources Conservation Authority Prohibition Order, it’s an offence to import, distribute or use single-use plastic bags with dimensions not exceeding 24 x24 inches and 2-point-5 mils in thickness.
If one is found guilty for breaching the Order, they may be fined up to 50 thousand dollars or imprisonment.
Breaches involving importation of single plastics will be prosecuted under the Trade Order and could receive a maximum fine of 2 million dollars or imprisonment.
