A Bill seeking to eventually ban certain environmentally harmful single-use plastics is expected to be ready for consultation in the first quarter of next year, the Minister of Home Affairs said.

Walter Roban confirmed that drafting of the Bill was under way after Cabinet approval was secured.

He said the legislation “outlines a clear, phased approach on the implementation of certain aspects of plastic that will be steadily banned”.

The minister added: “This will be starting with perhaps Styrofoam, forks and knives, and then we move up subject to evaluation, but the goal is to eliminate unnecessary single-use plastics.

“There are some that continue to be needed. I expect that in the first quarter of next year it should be available for consultation.”

Legislative plans to ban single-use plastics were announced in the 2018 Speech from the Throne, with the goal to eliminate them by 2022.

Although the timeline was adjusted, it was suggested in July that the Bill could be presented to MPs before the end of the year.

Asked last week whether Bermuda could ever be in a position to recycle plastics, Mr Roban said it was unlikely to be economically viable.

Plastics are burnt to produce electricity at the Tyne’s Bay Waste-to-Energy Facility, and have a use, he said.

The minister explained: “Part of the challenge is, there are different types of plastics. Many plastics are not biodegradable.

“I don’t see a plant here as being economically feasible. Other countries have huge industrial complexes.

“Right now, most of the plastic is burnt and powers the waste-to-energy plant which gives us electricity, so it is playing a purpose from that standpoint.

“There may be some ability in the future to recycle some plastics, not all can be recycled, but that is not something that we can deal with at this point.”

He added: “A bigger question and, right now, my goal, is to see that we, as a country, don’t import unnecessarily plastics that contribute to pollution in our environment, and those that do get into the waste stream can be used for a positive requirement of energy generation.

“If we can import less, and promote more responsible usage and less consumption within our community, that is the best way to go.”

The Royal Gazette asked Mr Roban about risks outlined in the Bermuda and Climate Change report, notably that faced by Belco — the island’s main provider of energy — in its low-lying area.

The report identified significant climate risks for Bermuda’s existing built and natural environment.

About 2,130 of Bermuda’s buildings — 6 per cent — face some level of risk, with 326 classified as highly exposed.

Critical areas, including major roadways, the Belco plant and the airport, are at risk.

Mr Roban said: “Where Belco is located is low-lying and clearly the area is at risk.

“It is one of the critical infrastructure components. It has a risk from the changes that happen in our environment including sea-level rise.

“When there is severe rain or king tides, there is flooding in the general area. It is for everybody to be concerned, but there are things that can be done to mitigate.”

The report said that 96 per cent of Bermuda’s coastal reserves required protection.