Carrier bag campaign gathers pace

Monday 29 April 2019

With more than three thousand people signing a petition calling for a ban on plastic carrier bags in Guernsey, one politician is saying “it’s time we changed”.

Deputy David de Lisle has long supported efforts to improve our environment and he was instrumental in bringing in the now common 5p charge for a single use carrier bag in 2008.

As well as raising thousands of pounds for environmental charities over the last decade, the former Environment Minister says the charge helped cut carrier bag use by 85% with shoppers opting for renewable bags or remembering to take their own bags shopping. 

But the West Deputy says more action now needs to be taken to combat the use of plastic bags, although one of the island’s largest retailers has said that won’t be easy. 

“I will support the petition which is being circulated on-line calling for Guernsey to ban all single use plastic carrier bags,” said Deputy de Lisle. “It’s time we changed.

“At this point in time all retailers have been made aware of the crisis in plastic pollution and should be taking action to replace plastic with alternate environmentally friendly bags.

“And all consumers have to make the effort to replace plastic bags with reusable carriers.  The more consumers that source their own bags the better. “

Pictured: Deputy David de Lisle. 

The petition was launched by Plastic Free Guernsey, which said it wants the States of Guernsey to "get on board and legislate against local shops from offering plastic carrier bags." 

The group said; "the increasing damage to our environment caused by single-use plastic is inescapable. As an island community, we see the effects of our throwaway culture washing up every time we go to the beach - let's make a change!"

Deputy de Lisle agrees, saying consumers can tackle the issue by encouraging retailers to make changes.

“We as consumers have a responsibility to cut out the use of plastics. It’s a waste that nobody wants which is polluting our planet. 

“We need to activate reducing food packaging and removing plastic straws and stirrers and ridding the shop shelves of plastic that can’t be recycled." 

While the organisers of the petition are hoping to force that change if they get enough support, retailers are warning it may not be do-able just yet.

The Channel Islands’ Co-op’sOperations Director Mark Cox said they haven’t been able to find anything which can replace carrier bags, to satisfy customers’ demands. 

“As an ethical and responsible retailer, we understand the increasing concern around the use of plastic and the effect it has on our islands and the environment. We have spent considerable time reviewing different options for replacement carrier bags, but we do not believe that there is currently a viable alternative to meet the demands of our customers and members. 

“We no longer offer ‘single use’ carrier bags in any of our stores and are more focused on the Bag for Life which is recyclable and reusable and we fully support efforts to Reduce, Reuse and Recycle.”

Paula Protheroe, Branch Manager at Waitrose & Partner’s Admiral Park said: "We do not sell single-use bags and only sell Bags for Life, and we're looking at a number of ways to encourage our customers to bring their own bags as much as possible. Removing unnecessary plastics is a priority for us – and something we know is equally important to our customers."