Plastics ban

Ralph Regenvanu said the audit would also examine ways of reducing plastic use, recycling and alternative materials.

It followed the first stage of a ban this month on single-use plastic shopping bags, polystyrene takeaway boxes and plastic straws.

Mr Regenvanu said Foreign Affairs was the lead agency on this as it forms part of the National Oceans Policy.

He said the ultimate goal is to eliminate all single-use plastics going into the ocean.

The orders addressed the control of single-use plastic bags, plastic straws and polystyrene takeaway boxes, littering and the licensing of private waste operators.

From July 1, it would be an offence to manufacture, sell or give away single-use plastic bags, plastic drinking straws and polystyrene boxes.

The only exception would be the use of plastic to wrap and carry fish or meat.

On February 1 this year, new laws on littering took effect, with fines of US$45 for a first offence or US$90 for subsequent dumping of rubbish in public.

The government has announced, as a start, non-biodegradable plastic bags and polystyrene takeaway boxes are to be banned from the end of this month.

The head of Maritime and Ocean Affairs in Vanuatu Toney Tevi said new laws would also be introduced for managing plastic waste.

He said changes to the country's Waste Management Act would be announced by the end of the month.

Vanuatu is bringing in a ban on non-biodegradable plastic bags and and polystyrene takeaway boxes on January 31 but businesses have six months to use up existing stocks.

Toney Tevi said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had already begun consultations with distributors who import plastic bags.

"Some of them actually started two or three months ago to start forgoing plastics in the shop," he said.

Mr Tevi said at the South Pacific Mini Games held in Vanuatu last month, takeaway food was sold in cardboard not polystyrene boxes.