(1) “Authority” means the Virgin Islands Waste Management Authority.
(2) “Business” means any commercial enterprise or establishment and all employees of the commercial enterprise or establishment or any independent contractors associated with a business operating in the Virgin Islands, including an individual proprietorship, joint venture, partnership, corporation, limited liability company, or other legal entity, whether for profit or not for profit.
(3) “Customer” means a person who purchases merchandise from a business.
(4) “Department” means the Virgin Islands Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs.
(5) “Director” means the Director of the Virgin Islands Waste Management Authority or the Director’s designee.
(6) “Disposable” means a product that is designed for a single use after which it is disposed of after use and disposed as solid waste.
(7) “Drinking straw” means a thin tube for transferring a beverage from its container to the mouth of the drinker;
(8) “Mil” means on thousandth of one inch.
(9) “Non-recyclable paper bag” means a paper bag that is not a recyclable paper bag.
(10) “Plastic Checkout Bag” means a carryout bag that is provided by a business to a customer for the purpose of transporting groceries or other retail goods, and is made from non-compostable plastic and not specifically designed and manufactured for multiple re-use. The term does not include:
(A) bags used by customers inside a business to package loose items, such as fruits, vegetables, nuts, ground coffee, grains, candies, or small hardware items;
(B) bags used to contain or wrap frozen foods, meat, or fish, flowers, or potted plants, or other items to contain dampness;
(C) bags used to protect or transport prepared foods, beverages, or bakery goods;
(D) bags provided by pharmacists to contain prescription medications;
(E) newspaper bags for home newspaper delivery;
(F) door-hanger bags;
(G) laundry, dry cleaning, or garment bags, including bags provided by hotels to guests to contain wet or dirty clothing;
(H) bags sold in packages containing multiple bags intended for use as garbage, pet waste, or yard waste bags;
(I) bags used to contain live animals, such as fish or insects sold in pet stores; or
(J) bags used to transport chemical pesticides, drain-cleaning chemicals, or other caustic chemicals sold at the retail level; provided that this exemption shall be limited to one bag per customer.
(11) “Plastic tubular stirrer” means a thin, plastic straw usually used for stirring coffee, cocktails and other beverages.
(12) “Recyclable Paper Bag” means a paper bag that:
(A) is one hundred percent recyclable;
(B) contains a minimum of forty percent post-consumer recycled content; and
(C) displays the words “Reusable” and “Recyclable” in a highly visible manner on the outside of the bags.
(13) “Reusable” means an item specifically designed and manufactured to be durable and made for multiple reuse.”
(14) “Reusable Bag” means a bag with handles that is specifically designed and manufactured for multiples reuse and is made of:
(A) cloth or other washable fabric; or
(B) durable material suitable for reuse, including plastic that is at least 2.25 mils thick.