Plastic-free island strategy should be a States priority

NOW is a good moment for the States to commit to Guernsey becoming a plastic-free island.

Being the largest employer and operator of several significant sites, its actions would make a step change just as it is about to force islanders to pay more for waste disposal.

But so far, beside a few comments about how the States is looking at things, there has been very little movement.

The reluctance may just be about timing, waiting to be able to make a big statement when the States needs profile on the waste issue.

Or maybe it’s the feeling of being in control, rather than being prompted into doing something.

Or it’s about money and a lack of direction.

The plastic-free coastlines campaign is being led by Surfers Against Sewage, a group that has not necessarily endeared itself to some on these shores with its past protestations about how Guernsey deals with its sewage.

Very much a community-led initiative, it sets out five targets before an area can be classified as plastic-free – and one of them is getting that government commitment, something which has already happened in Alderney and Jersey.

The States has to be one of the biggest consumers of single-use plastic, not just by its own staff but also through running cafes, schools, the hospital, the airport, while it is a landlord for businesses that also produce this waste.

Back in 2014, Public Services said that the States had a direct influence over an estimated 182 places of work where well over 5,000 people are employed and 7,060 children/young people are educated.

Then there is the public passing through.

It could be a massive influencer if the island was to get serious about tackling this problem.

Want to cut the amount of bottled water being drunk?

Well, reverse the trend of closing water fountains, whether in schools or in public. Perhaps get Guernsey Water to embrace this idea, as companies in the UK are.

Want to slash the amount of disposable coffee cups being used?

Return to supplying tea in real cups in the cafes it is responsible for or offer discounts for people bringing along a reusable mug.

It would be so simple for the States members themselves to embrace this at their meetings, instead of popping off to use their free vending machine that spews out hot drinks in plastic cups, or the cold water machine that does the same.

Remember this is an organisation that from September will expect households to do all they can not to produce rubbish – and to separate out recyclates – with the partial pay as you throw scheme a financial incentive to do that.

Getting its own house in order will set just the example that is needed.

As an island community Guernsey is not only ideally placed to act, it is also acutely aware of the impact plastic has.

Whether it is plastic washing up on these shores from elsewhere, or being produced on island, its visual impact is unavoidable.

It is not immune to the impact on wildlife that has been beamed into people’s homes through programmes such as the BBC’s Blue Planet II.

Micro plastic particles are now in the food chain thanks to pollution in the sea.

The States is often reluctant to lead – but when it does the results can be impressive.

The plastic bag charge in supermarkets has been wildly successful – a simple move that led to a society-wide change in behaviour.

When it moved on the smoking ban it was again ahead of the UK – there is no clamour to go back to where we were.

There is an inertia in our government, particularly when it comes to initiatives that require inter-committee working.

That has been costly in the past and continues to be so today.

But an active commitment to ending the use of avoidable single-use plastic is a no-brainer.

It is an achievable goal and one that islanders will buy into.

What’s not to like?

And there are already the foundations in place. Beach cleans are part of the fabric. Local environmentalists are already on board.

Some businesses have seen the benefits and have announced change.’

The throwaway culture has infested much of what we do – and the States has had a role in that.

Plastic cutlery, throwaway cups for hot drinks, tiny sachets of sauces, plastic wrappings on sandwiches are all easily avoidable, but the consumer is often not presented with the option.

The 2014 Waste Strategy said that a cross-departmental waste and recycling working party bringing together representatives from all the committees had been established to make sure the States was playing its part. It was expected to last two or three years – the question will be, what has it achieved?

The strategy was alive to the fact that the States needs to lead, but while we hear much about the big picture stuff, we hear little, if anything, about this side.

There is a direction for all committees to include conditions when hiring out land or buildings for events that, where practical, the organisers provide recycling facilities.

There is another that the T&Cs should also make it a requirement that where relevant, only recyclable or reusable tableware and takeaway food and drinks containers be used.

That last one was to be in place as ‘soon as practicable’ but in any event no later than December this year.

Clearly there was no rush then – will it move any faster now?