A CHARGE of 5p for every plastic bag supplied by major retailers will raise a cheer in the households of environmentalists today.
For in the battle to be green, disposable plastic bags are the enemy, to be exterminated as soon as possible.
And given the millions that head straight down to Mont Cuet tip, having proved useful for just a few minutes in the journey back from supermarket to home, it is a victory to be welcomed.
It is a bold step by the Environment Department and the retailers and reflects a growing shift in Britain and the world.
However, it will not be universally popular, nor is it without dangers that must be guarded against.
It must not become a green charity tax.
There are those who can readily afford 5p a bag and may continue regardless, there are others for whom relative poverty means every penny counts.
The aim must be to help both to move on.
Retailers must ensure that strong, reusable bags are easily available, preferably free for at least the first few weeks of the ban. Costs can be offset against future savings.
This measure could also go some way towards preventing a shift away from plastic to paper bags, which are in many ways even worse for the environment.
And opponents of the move report that a similar levy in Ireland encouraged people to buy more pedal bin liners to replace the ubiquitous plastic bag, 60% of which are used again in some way.
To ensure against that, the States will have to step up its collection schemes to encourage people to use solid bins rather than bin bags.
Many islanders will see the whole move as further evidence of a nanny state which interferes in all aspects of our lives.
And it is regrettable that the gradual voluntary shift to heavy duty bags through better education could not continue.
But speed of change is a key factor in the battle to save our environment, although many will also wonder why the department isn’t acting as swiftly in other areas where it has responsibilities.
3 Article Comments
This is good. Not just because plastic bags are bad for the environment but because it will now allow the states to address other areas which will lead to a much greator environmental benefit than mere grocery bags.
Such as:
1. The black rubbish bags have to go. All areas must use solid bins where possible as well as solid recycling bins. *Obviously there may be some areas where solid bins are not practical but that doesnt mean that you shouldnt apply it to the vast majority of areas where it can.
2. States need trucks which pick up solid bins - one for rubbish and one for recycling. The recycling service would have the added bonus of taking hundreds of cars of the road every week.
3. Encourage grocery stores to provide online shopping options and local delivery services. This option would also have the potential to take thousands of cars off the roads every week.
Im sure that other people would have many many more suggestions which they could add to the list.
Of course this is a positive step. People need to realise that habits can change and that it is relatively easy to switch from disposable carrier bags to reusable alternatives. It is true that some people will not “feel the pinch” of a 5p charge - but maybe changing social attitudes will “shame” people into using real bags. Hopefully this is just the start of many environmental initiatives between government, commerce and indeed the islands themselves.
People need to realise that plastic bags are a menace to the environment - both our own local environment and the global environment.
On with island-wide kerbside recycling next!!!
Yes Wil, I agree. I visit the Island regularly and am amazed that more isn’t done to protect its beauty. Here in my part of Dorset, we have separate ‘wheelie’ bins for household waste and recycling and there are plans to introduce a third for garden waste. Our local tip is now segmented and you visit the green area, paper area, wood etc. I must admit it seems very strange to be throwing bottles and garden rubbish in with all the other waste when I’m over there! It seems false economy not to spend to get this sorted.