In Puerto Rico, the Senate Committee on Economic Development, chaired by Senator Nitza Morán, found that the implementation of the law prohibiting certain single-use plastics lacks verifiable data, government coordination, and viable alternatives for merchants. The commission’s investigation, which evaluated the implementation and effectiveness of laws 51-2022 and 47-2025, concluded that the government does not have sufficient information to certify the environmental benefits of alternative products or measure the law’s effectiveness.
The law, which prohibits the sale and use of certain single-use plastics in commercial establishments, has a moratorium in place until December 31, 2026. A Multisectoral Work Committee, created to evaluate the law’s implementation and recommend adjustments, has not submitted a report to the Legislature as required. The Department of Natural and Environmental Resources (DRNA) and other organizations have provided input, but the commission found that the regulatory framework necessary for effective implementation has not been defined.
Senator Morán emphasized the need for evidence-based policy and effective implementation to achieve the goal of reducing single-use plastics.