Welcome to the United Nations
UN DESA
United Nations
#OceanAction20912
Single-Use (T-shirt) Plastic Bag Ban
by The Government of Antigua and Barbuda (Government)
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.
Progress reports
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
Type of commitment
PLASTICS
  • Plastics product bans or restrictions
Jan 2016
Ban on the importation of single-use (t-shirt) plastic bags
Jan to Jun 2016
Implementation of a six (6) month phasing out of the circulation of single use (t-shirt) plastic bags in major supermarkets
Jan to Sept 2016
Public awareness campaign on the ban of single use (t-shirt) plastic bags
Jul 2016
Ban on the circulation of single use (t-shirt) plastic bags in major supermarkets
Financing (in USD)
37,000 USD
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)
Basic information
Time-frame: January 2016 - N/A
Partners
The Government of Antigua and Barbuda; The Peoples Republic of China; and the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States Commission
Ocean Basins
  • North Atlantic
Beneficiary countries
Other beneficaries
Contact information
Diann Black-Layne, Ambassador (Department of Environment, Antigua and Barbuda), antiguaenvironmentdivision@gmail.com; dcblack11@gmail.com; michai.robertson@ab.gov.ag , +1 268 462-4625 or +1 268 562-2568
#1 Victoria Park, Botanical Gardens, St Johns, Antigua
Other SDGs
United Nations