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