Alderney aims to ban single-use plastic bags from 2021

Following its commitment to the Blue Islands Charter on the environment, a motion 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 moving towards a complete ban on single-use plastic entering their island and, in particular, the marine environment.

A working group made up of the 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 was reasonably possible.

The objective is to become a plastic-free island without the need for legislative changes.

Head of outreach at Alderney Wildlife Trust Claire Thorpe has long been campaigning to reduce single-use plastics in the island.

'We're really pleased to work with the States on this - I think it will be really great, especially for the marine environment, and I hope it will lead to more environmentally-conscious decisions being made,' she said.

'It's an exciting thing to have happening at the moment, and very positive for the island.'

A spokesperson for the States of Alderney said 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 changes in Europe such as the French government ban on the sale of plastic plates, plastic cups, cotton buds and still water bottles.

The group is considering public education on waste management processes and lobbying of the supply chain to reduce the amount of plastic sent to Alderney.

Two public home composting talks are being organised by the group at the Alderney Wildlife Trust offices on Tuesday 10 March at 6pm and Saturday 14 March at 10am.

There is also concern about the lack of a covered recycling area resulting in high levels of waste being unintentionally scattered around the island in high winds.