President Luis Abinader has vetoed (observed) the Solid Waste Management Law approved by the National Congress. The objective of the observations is to create a balance that guarantees free enterprise while prioritizing the care of the environment and natural resources.
Among the modifications proposed by the President:
• Single-use plastic and foam phase-out: A 12-month period for the phase-out of single-use plastics and foam is. proposed.
• Exceptions for foam: An exception is made for plates with integrated lids (popularly known as “laptop” containers) and trays, as they currently lack economically competitive substitutes. A longer 24-month period was granted for phasing out these specific items.
• Plastic bag fee: A 12-month period is proposed to begin charging for non-biodegradable plastic bags in commercial establishments. During this time, businesses must run awareness campaigns to promote the substitution of these bags with reusable or eco-friendly alternatives.
• Import ban: The importation of plastic straws, forks, knives, spoons, plastic lids, and any other non-biodegradable product is prohibited 60 days after the promulgation of the present law.
In a communication sent to the President of the Senate, Ricardo de los Santos, President Luis Abinader explained that the observations are based on, among other aspects, issues concerning:
• Environmental protection.
• Protection of free competition.
• Rejection of monopolistic practices.
• Promotion of sustainable industrial practices.
The letter, dated 3 November 2025, refers to the modifications made by the National Congress to Law No. 225-20 on solid waste management. The President affirmed that he values the effort made by the legislators of both chambers but reiterates the need to protect free competition, reject monopolistic practices, and promote sustainable industrial practices.
Other suggested amendments
• Location criteria: The criteria for establishing transfer stations, sanitary landfills, and recovery plants are to be reformulated so that they are not limited by regional criteria but are instead enabled based on specified distances for each case.
• Definitions: Several key definitions and concepts essential for the law’s implementation were modified.
• Municipal autonomy: The Executive Branch believes the bill as passed infringed upon municipal autonomy by restricting the constitutional competencies of municipal authorities regarding land use.
• Contract terms: Observations were made regarding the minimum duration of operation contracts between the DO Sostenible Trust and authorized waste managers, reducing the minimum contract and renewal terms in line with national and international economic competition standards.
• Fee structure: The President maintains the base tariff paid to private waste managers but allows the Trust to determine the annual tariff using a formula that considers operational costs, profit margins, the annual inflation and devaluation rates, and solid waste transportation costs.
• Plastic and foam regulation: The presidential observations strongly address the regulation of plastic and foam products, significantly reducing the deadlines for urgent measures such as incorporating producers into extended responsibility programs, reducing the use of plastic bags in commercial establishments, and implementing container return programs.
Next legislative step
Now that the Senate has received the observations, in accordance with Article 102 of the Constitution, the legislative body will record them on the agenda of its next session and re-discuss the law in a single reading. If the law is re-approved by a two-thirds majority of the members present in the Senate, it will be sent to the other Chamber (Chamber of Deputies). If the second Chamber also approves it by the same majority, it will be considered definitive law and will be promulgated and published within the deadlines established in Article 101 of the Constitution.
The ruling PRM party has the absolute majority to carry out these and other amendments.
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Presidency
5 November 2025