The Dominican Republic has been very slow in implementing measures to reduce plastic wastes. The Chamber of Deputies passed the amendments to Law 225-20 on Solid Waste Management and Coprocessing. The bill already had passed in the Senate so it moves to the Presidency for enactment.
Law 225-20 on Solid Waste Management and Coprocessing dates back to 2020, but only now is the government getting around implementations, including reduction of single use plastics.
Law 225-20 has now been modified to exclude the use of those Expanded Polystyrene (EPS)trays used in supermarkets to exhibit meats, fruits and vegetables. This foam and its cousin, the polystyrene bags used to hold groceries are due to be phased out at the beginning of 2026.
Plastic bags are one of the most ubiquitous pieces of solid refuse in the Dominican Republic. Photos of rivers at flood stage often look like they are full of little icebergs, as witnessed during the rains from Melissa. The main complaint is that these products are not biodegradable.
As a result, within 60 days of the enactment of the reformed law, no straws, utensils, plastic covers for plastic glasses and any non-certified foam products will be imported.
This, of course will provide and impetus for another industry, that of paper, bamboo, and other bio-degradable containers that can be re-used also.
There will be a 12-month grace period for the use of single-use plastic bags that are used in the colmados and supermarkets. This gradual reduction will be accompanied with an education campaign regarding plastics.
It should be noted that there are foam products that are biodegradable, and these products come with a manufacturer’s certification. And there are stiff penalties for violations of the modified law.
There will be 12-month grace periods for the sale of most plastic products and the free distribution of single-use bags at commercial establishments.
There is a 24-month period for local manufacturers to switch over to biodegradable products. Excluded are those foam food containers used at so many fast-food outlets and restaurants, as well as plastics used in medicine and laboratories.
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15 December 2025