American Samoa EPA now enforcing polystyrene foam container ban

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — AS-Environmental Protection Agency inspectors visited over 200 merchants and eateries on January 21 and 22, 2025, and a total of 28 citations were issued for violations of A.S.C.A. § 25.2303, which prohibits the sale or distribution of polystyrene foam containers unless exempted.

Court hearings are scheduled for February and fines begin at $300 for the first offense.

This comes after Public Law 38-12 was passed by the 38th Legislature of American Samoa and signed into law by Gov. Lemanu P.S. Mauga on February 6, 2024. The ban on imports of polystyrene foam containers took effect May 7, 2024, with a ban on sales set to follow six months later.

Tasked with implementation of the law, AS-EPA delayed enforcement of the sales ban until January 2025, to allow businesses time to deplete their legally imported inventories. AS-EPA inspectors will continue conducting routine inspections around the island to ensure compliance with the law.

AS-EPA Acting Director Edna Noga encouraged the public and especially the business community to work in unity for the purpose of improving the quality of life in American Samoa. Director Noga said, "American Samoa remains a place of hope for many, as we are very fortunate to prosper on natural resources over the years. As stewards and inhabitants of the environment, it is our collective and primary role to care for the environment on which all life depends."

For more information on the Polystyrene Foam Ban or to report a violation, please contact AS- EPA at [email protected] or call 633-2304.