Press Release - Single Use Plastic Bags

Alderney targets ban on single-use plastic bags

Following its commitment to the Blue Islands Charter on the environment, Alderney has moved a stage closer to a ban on single-use plastic carrier bags.

A Projet de Loi is to be brought before the States of Alderney to ban the sale and distribution of plastic carrier bags from January 2021.

The Charter proposes that all islands commit to move towards a complete ban on single-use plastic entering their island and in particular the marine environment.

A Working Group consisting of Alderney Chamber of Commerce, Alderney Wildlife Trust, States Member Annie Burgess, States Works and Economic Development has been undertaking a number of initiatives in order to remove as much plastic from the Island's supply chain as reasonably possible, with the objective of becoming "a plastic-free island" without the need for legislative changes.

There have been moves to meet the objectives on a voluntary basis. The Working Group now feels after receiving encouraging feedback from several workshops that the next step would be to introduce an island-wide ban.

This mirrors similar EU changes including the French Government ban on the sale of plastic plates and cups, cotton buds and still water bottles.

The Working Group is considering public education on waste management processes and lobbying of the supply chain to reduce the amount of plastic sent to Alderney. The Group has organised two public home composting talks at the AWT offices on Tuesday 10th March at 6pm and Saturday 14th March at 10am.

It is also concerned at the lack of a covered recycling area resulting in high levels of waste being unintentionally scattered around the island in high winds.

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