The public meeting of the Agriculture and Natural Resources Commission on January 24, 2024, focused on Senate Bill PS1374, which proposes a two-year delay in the implementation of Law 51 of 2022, aimed at banning single-use plastics in Puerto Rico. The meeting highlighted the urgent need to address the growing plastic waste crisis, with recent studies indicating a significant increase in plastic waste reaching landfills.

During the session, representatives discussed the implications of delaying the law, emphasizing that the current situation is critical. The preliminary results from a waste characterization study conducted by the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources revealed a staggering 70% increase in plastic waste over the past two decades, now constituting 17% of landfill waste. This figure does not account for illegal dumping or plastic pollution in natural environments.

Advocates for the law argued that the prohibition of single-use plastics is essential for public health and environmental protection. They pointed out that many plastics take hundreds of years to decompose, contributing to microplastic pollution that can enter the food chain. The Ocean Conservancy reported that banning single-use plastics could eliminate 1.4 million tons of waste in the U.S. alone.

The meeting also addressed the lack of communication from the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources regarding the regulations tied to Law 51. Advocates expressed frustration over not receiving necessary information or having the opportunity to discuss the regulations, despite ongoing efforts to engage with the department.

In conclusion, the commission underscored the importance of moving forward with Law 51 without delay, framing it as a public health issue rather than merely an environmental concern. The urgency of the situation calls for immediate action to mitigate the harmful effects of plastic waste on both health and the environment. The commission plans to continue discussions on the implications of PS1374 and the necessity of enforcing the ban on single-use plastics as scheduled for June 2024.