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United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs Sustainable Development

Single-Use (T-shirt) Plastic Bag Ban

(
Government
)
#OceanAction41883
    Description
    Description
    In 2015, the Government of Antigua and Barbuda committed to ban single-use (t-shirt) plastic bags within the State. The first phase focused placing a ban the importation of single-use (t-shirt) plastic bags into the country. The second phase implemented a 6-month progressive elimination stage of the circulation of single-use (t-shirt) plastic bags in the countrys major supermarkets. The third phase concentrated on the end of circulation of single-use (t-shirt) plastic bags in the countrys major supermarkets.

    Throughout the second and third phases, the Government purchased and distributed thousands of reusable bags to the public.

    A comprehensive awareness campaign was conducted throughout all three phases.
    Partners
    The Government of Antigua and Barbuda; The Peoples Republic of China; and the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States Commission

    Goal 14

    Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development

    Goal 14

    14.1

    By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, in particular from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution

    14.1.1

    (a) Index of coastal eutrophication; and (b) plastic debris density

    14.2

    By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including by strengthening their resilience, and take action for their restoration in order to achieve healthy and productive oceans

    14.2.1

    Number of countries using ecosystem-based approaches to managing marine areas

    14.3

    Minimize and address the impacts of ocean acidification, including through enhanced scientific cooperation at all levels

    14.3.1
    Average marine acidity (pH) measured at agreed suite of representative sampling stations

    14.4

    By 2020, effectively regulate harvesting and end overfishing, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and destructive fishing practices and implement science-based management plans, in order to restore fish stocks in the shortest time feasible, at least to levels that can produce maximum sustainable yield as determined by their biological characteristics

    14.4.1
    Proportion of fish stocks within biologically sustainable levels

    14.5

    By 2020, conserve at least 10 per cent of coastal and marine areas, consistent with national and international law and based on the best available scientific information

    14.5.1
    Coverage of protected areas in relation to marine areas

    14.6

    By 2020, prohibit certain forms of fisheries subsidies which contribute to overcapacity and overfishing, eliminate subsidies that contribute to illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and refrain from introducing new such subsidies, recognizing that appropriate and effective special and differential treatment for developing and least developed countries should be an integral part of the World Trade Organization fisheries subsidies negotiation

    14.6.1

    Degree of implementation of international instruments aiming to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing

    14.7

    By 2030, increase the economic benefits to Small Island developing States and least developed countries from the sustainable use of marine resources, including through sustainable management of fisheries, aquaculture and tourism

    14.7.1

    Sustainable fisheries as a proportion of GDP in small island developing States, least developed countries and all countries

    14.a

    Increase scientific knowledge, develop research capacity and transfer marine technology, taking into account the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission Criteria and Guidelines on the Transfer of Marine Technology, in order to improve ocean health and to enhance the contribution of marine biodiversity to the development of developing countries, in particular small island developing States and least developed countries

    14.a.1
    Proportion of total research budget allocated to research in the field of marine technology

    14.b

    Provide access for small-scale artisanal fishers to marine resources and markets

    14.b.1

    Degree of application of a legal/regulatory/policy/institutional framework which recognizes and protects access rights for small‐scale fisheries

    14.c

    Enhance the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources by implementing international law as reflected in United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which provides the legal framework for the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources, as recalled in paragraph 158 of "The future we want"

    14.c.1

    Number of countries making progress in ratifying, accepting and implementing through legal, policy and institutional frameworks, ocean-related instruments that implement international law, as reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, for the conservation and sustainable use of the oceans and their resources

    Name Description
    14.1 By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, in particular from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution
    Ban on the importation of single-use (t-shirt) plastic bags
    Implementation of a six (6) month phasing out of the circulation of single use (t-shirt) plastic bags in major supermarkets
    Ban on the circulation of single use (t-shirt) plastic bags in major supermarkets
    Public awareness campaign on the ban of single use (t-shirt) plastic bags
    Staff / Technical expertise
    Government officials managed and implemented the ban as well as the public awareness campaign
    In-kind contribution
    The Government of Antigua and Barbuda spent approximately USD37,000 on the management and implementation of the ban, the public awareness campaign, and the purchasing of reusable bags for the public
    In-kind contribution
    The Peoples Republic of China and the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States Commission financed the prizes for the logo competition in search of a logo for the public awareness campaign (i.e. a laptop and USD100)
    Financing (in USD)
    37000
    No progress reports have been submitted. Please sign in and click here to submit one.
    False
    Action Network
    Small Island Developing States
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    Timeline
    01 January 2016 (start date)
    01 January 1970 (date of completion)
    Entity
    The Government of Antigua and Barbuda
    SDGs
    Geographical coverage
    #1 Victoria Park, Botanical Gardens, St Johns, Antigua
    Ocean Basins
    North Atlantic
    Communities of Ocean Action
    Marine pollution
    Website/More information
    N/A
    Countries
    N/A
    Contact Information

    Diann Black-Layne, Ambassador (Department of Environment, Antigua and Barbuda)