Stewardship to Reduce Waste - American Samoa Plastic Bag Ban

AMERICAN SAMOA PLASTIC SHOPPING BAG BAN (PSBB) LAW A.S.C.A 25.2034

AMERICAN SAMOA ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (AS-EPA)

PLASTIC SHOPPING BAGS

LANDFILL OF AMERICAN SAMOA

AMERICAN SAMOA PLASTIC SHOPPING BAG BAN (PSBB) LAW A.S.C.A 25.2034

TABLE OF CONTENTS PSBB LEGISLATION  PSBB PUBLIC EDUCTATION & OUTREACH  PSBB ENFORCEMENT EFFORTS  PSBB BENEFITS  PSBB CHALLENGES  CONCLUSION 

PSBB LEGISLATION A.S.C.A 25.2034  PSBB Law’s Effective Date February 23,

2011  Prohibits wholesalers or retail

establishments from directly or indirectly, give, provide, or make available plastic shopping bags to customers or consumers

American American Samoa Samoa Environmental Environmental Protection Protection Agency Agency (AS-EPA) (AS-EPA)

Department Department of of Public Public Safety Safety (DPS) (DPS)

Department Department of of Commerce Commerce (DOC) (DOC)

Enforcement Tools:

30

da ys

Stop Orders

Citations

Seizures & Forfeitures

PSBB LEGISLATION A.S.C.A 25.2034 EXEMPTIONS: Shopping bags produced entirely from nonpetroleum-based biodegradable plastic, as verified by AS-EPA: (Biodegradable Plastics made of cellulose based or other substances that undergo significant changes in their chemical structure as a result of the action of naturally occurring microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, and algae) ď Ź Compostable plastic bags, as verified by AS-EPA: (Plastic bags that conforms to the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) International Standard D6400 for compostable plastic, as such standard may be amended and/or revised from time to time) ď Ź

PSBB LEGISLATION A.S.C.A. 25.2034 ADDITIONAL EXEMPTIONS  AS-EPA may issue category variances for

the following products:  Raw meat, poultry, or fish:  Frozen foods;  Fresh produce;  Prepare meals in take out containers

KVZK TELEVISION 30 MINUTES TALK SHOWS

KVZK-TV 3 MINUTES INTERVIEWS FOR EVENING NEWS

RADIO INTERVIEWS & TALK SHOWS

SCHOOL OUTREACH

OUTREACHES TO BOTH PUBLIC & PRIVATE SCHOOLS

SUMMER CAMPS

AS-EPA WEBSITE: www.asepa.gov

PSBB ENFORCEMENT EFFORTS Established PSBB Task Force (DPS, DOC, AS-EPA)  Develop Enforcement Tools (Stop Order Forms and Citation Booklets)  Conducted Procedural Trainings for the Enforcement Officers  Secured List of Wholesalers & Retail Establishments in the Territory  Designated Enforcement Areas among Task Force Departments 

APPROVED ALTERNATIVE BAGS: Samoa Bio-Bags Serial Numbers: CPMNREPTI/0808002 CPMNREPTI/0710001 CPMNREATC/0610001 CPMNREFEE/0211009 CPMNREATC/0312014

PSBB ENFORCEMENT EFFORTS INITIAL SITE VISITS

300 STOP ORDERS ISSUED

112 188 COMPLIED

109 COMPLIED

3

CITATIONS ISSUED

PSBB BENEFITS  Reduces Hazards for marine & wildlife  One less item of an eyesore  Landfill benefits  Introduction of Biodegradable bags  Promotes the reuse of non-petroleum base

shopping bags (cloth, paper bags, woven baskets, etc…)  Economy

PSBB CHALLENGES  NO BAN on Plastic Bags’

Importation.  Low Citation Fees  Penalties starts from $50

CONCLUSION • Continue to enforce PSBB • Continue educational outreach and advertisements • American Samoa is not only the first US Territory to ban Plastic Shopping Bags, but one of the First States to enact State or Territory wide Legislation.

AS-EPA AWARD

POINT OF CONTACTS Mr. William Sili, Manager Air & Land Division American Samoa – EPA Phone #: 684-633-2304 Fax #: 684-633-5801 Email Address: william.sili@epa.as.gov

Mr. Faamao Asalele Deputy Director American Samoa – EPA Contact #: 684-633-2304 Fax #: 684-633-5801 Email Address: faamao.asalele@epa.as.gov

PLASTIC FREE, THE WAY TO BE…

PLASTIC FREE, THE WAY TO BE…

FA’AFETAI TELE LAVA & SOIFUA