10/06/2026
‼️Reminder to Businesses, Residents, Retailers, Manufacturers, and the General Public on Prohibited Plastic and Waste Items.
The Department of Environmental Protection and Conservation (DEPC) wishes to remind all businesses, retailers, manufacturers, importers, and members of the public that certain items remain prohibited under the Waste Management Act No. 24 of 2014 and its associated regulations.
Since the implementation of the ban in 2018, the Government of the Republic of Vanuatu has taken significant steps to reduce plastic pollution and protect the country's environment, public health, biodiversity, and natural resources. The decision to prohibit these items was based on waste data collected and assessed from past years to 2015, which identified these products as major contributors to environmental pollution throughout Vanuatu.
The following items are prohibited from being imported, manufactured, sold, distributed, or given away within Vanuatu:
• Single-use plastic bag,
• Plastic straw, plate, cup, knife, fork, spoon, stirrer,
• Plastic mesh net
• Plastic eggs tray
• Artificial plastic flower and necklace artificial flower
• Polystyrene take away box
Environmental Protection compliance inspections and monitoring activities conducted in collaboration with the Department of Vanuatu Customs and Inland Revenue will continue throughout the country to ensure adherence to the provisions of the Waste Management Act and it’s regulation. Any person, business, resident, retailer, manufacturer, distributer, or importer found contravening the Act may face enforcement action, including penalties as prescribed under the law.
DEPC encourages all businesses to continue supporting environmentally friendly alternatives and to contribute to a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable Vanuatu for present and future generations.
For more information: call us on 33430 or visit our office at Nambatu.
Ministry of Climate Change Vanuatu
