A bill to ban the importation, sale and use of Styrofoam products is a step closer to passage, after Senators approved it in final reading this morning. The House has yet to vote on the measure.
The Senate vote was 13-0.
The administration bill came under the microscope of the Senate Health Committee, chaired by Senator Tuiasina Dr. Salamo Laumoli, earlier this week.
The main concern of senators was the loss of government revenues since the bill proposes that the excise tax for alternative products to replace Styrofoam cups and plates would be reduced from 8% to 4%, for one year.
Director of the American Samoa Environmental Protection Agency, Faamao Asalele Jr., explained that the excise tax reduction was intended as an incentive for importers to bring in alternative containers such as paper products. These, he said, were biodegradable and not harmful like the Styrofoam products that have an ingredient that has been linked to cancer.
He explained that these environmentally friendly products are more expensive than Styrofoam products.
Asalele said, some local businesses are already carrying these alternative products.
Senator Satele Lili’o felt that banning Styrofoam products would affect families during faalavelave, as they would pay more for containers to serve food and drinks. Other senators weren’t convinced the incidence of cancer would be reduced if Styrofoam products were banned.
Despite their concerns, none of the senators voted no when the bill had its third reading today.
