Alderney bans single use plastic bags

Friday 13 March 2020

The States of Alderney has decided to ban single use carrier bags from 2021 - a move welcomed by many residents, as well as Guernsey's Environment & Infrastructure President, who says the island can learn from the northern isle drawing up the legislation.

It is a major step on the road to Alderney reaching its end goal of becoming a "plastic free island".

Initially, the hope was that this could be achieved without the need for legislative changes.

However it was ultimately decided that a total ban on the sale and distribution of single use plastic carrier bags would be sought, mainly due to input from businesses. 

"Previously the Alderney Chamber of Commerce held concerns regarding this approach and wished to see progression on a voluntary basis," said Policy & Finance Chairman James Dent. "However with further consideration and discussion with members of the working group the Chamber are now fully supportive of the concept of a total ban." 

Single use plastic carrier bags to be banned in #Alderney in 2021
The matter will now be sent to the law officers for wording in a positive step to protect our #environment

Thank you to the 9 states members who supported this proposal! @captainpipkin pic.twitter.com/arrfDq1Nlb

— AlderneyWT (@AlderneyWT) March 11, 2020

"This mirrors similar EU changes and of particular note is the French Government ban brought in for January 2020 of plastic plates/cups sold in bulk in the supermarkets; and cotton buds and still water bottles in school catering services and retailers."

The legislative changes were approved by Alderney States members this week.

P&F Committee Member Alex Snowdon, who is one of Alderney's representatives in the States of Guernsey, said there is still more to be done to tackle plastic pollution in the future. 

"Well done all involved, good debate highlighting more needs to be done to fight the use of plastic," he tweeted. "Looking forward to public engagement over next steps for making a better future."

Guernsey's Environment & Infrastructure Committee has previously said it was consulting local industry with a view to submitting similar proposals to the States in the future.

Pictured: Deputy Barry Brehaut's E&I Committee is looking into how a ban could be introduced over here. 

Committee President Barry Brehaut said Alderney's approval was "very good news for Guernsey".

The States of Alderney will have to draft legislation to implement a ban in their island and Deputy Brehaut said Guernsey "can learn from that" and potentially "cut and paste" their solution. 

Pictured top: Alderney High Street.