Jersey bags single-use carrier ban

Wednesday 17 June 2020

The States have voted to ban single-use plastic and paper carrier bags in an effort to reduce the island’s waste.

The ban, which prevents any retailer from selling or giving away single-use bags, will come into force next year.

Brought forward by Deputy Inna Gardiner, the proposition to ban plastic carriers was unanimously passed by States Members and prohibiting single-use paper bags was voted through by a narrower margin.

Pictured: States Members voted unanimously to ban single-use plastic bags. 

Reusable ‘bags for life’, product packaging, gift bags, bin liners, nappy sacks and thin paper or plastic ‘counter bags’ for baked goods and medicines will still be permitted.

It follows mounting pressure on politicians earlier this year to ban the bags, with an online petition garnering over 1,000 signatures.

The proposition had suggested that the profits from the sale of reusable shopping bags should go to environmental charities, but Deputy Gardiner withdrew this aspect after it was pointed out there should be more consultation with the retail sector on this issue. 

Following the vote, Deputy Gardiner thanked her fellow politicians for their “engagement and support” during yesterday’s debate.

A big thank you to every Member of the Assembly for your engagement and support.
My "Banning of single use carrier bags" proposition has been adopted today.@StatesAssembly pic.twitter.com/MIx2laFK8i

— Inna Gardiner (@innagardiner) June 16, 2020

Commenting on the result, Environment Minister Deputy John Young said: “As an island community we have a collective responsibility to reduce our unnecessary and indiscriminate use of plastic bags, many of which end up polluting our environment and seas and damaging our ecosystems.” 

Minister for Infrastructure Deputy Kevin Lewis added: “We encourage ‘Reduce, Reuse, Recycle’ behaviours in that order. The ban on single-use plastic bags will reduce Jersey’s waste and our use of single-use plastic. It also supports Jersey on the journey to be a more sustainable place to live and work.”