Tynwald has backed plans to ban plastic cups in government and introduce a plastic bag levy.

Environment Minister Geoffrey Boot was given unanimous support when he put his department’s Single Use Plastics Reduction Plan before members for approval.

He said: ’As an island nation, the Isle of Man has a particular responsibility to ensure that we are not contributing to the global plastics problem.’

The action plan was drawn up after a review of current plastic use in government and looking at alternatives.

Plastic straws, cotton buds, cutlery, plates, cups and drinks stirrers will be banned across government - with exceptions being made where needed.

Balloon releases will be prohibited at government departments and schools and the use of plastics minimised at events.

Government departments will be asked to work with businesses to create plastic-free initiatives.

Although the initial focus of the strategy is within government, it also turns its attention to the private sector, with a commitment to a plastic bag levy. Most of the large grocery retailers now charge for single-use plastic bags.

Mr Boot said: ’Since the BBC Blue Planet II series last year, which gave a dramatic insight into the impact of plastics on our oceans, public concern about marine litter and single use plastics has been growing rapidly.

’While some plastics are essential, and we all know that we would not survive without plastics - we only have to look around us, our mobile phones, cars etc. - many single use plastics represent an unsustainable use of a finite resource.

’Sustainable alternatives will and must be found and measures must be taken to stop plastics polluting our wonderful marine environment.’

He praised the ’pioneering’ work of Beach Buddies in cleaning the island’s beaches but said the government must show leadership.

’The Single Use Plastics Reduction Plan for the Isle of Man represents the first phase in our programme of work to tackle single use plastics in the Isle of Man,’ he added.

’Significant research has been carried out to ensure that the Plan is evidence based and offers sustainable solutions.

’The Plan focuses on reducing the use of single use plastics within Government, principally by banning the use of those items that are unnecessary or easily replaced. This ban will be implemented across Government by 2019.’

A team of ’sustainability champions’ have been identified to implement the plan across government, he said.

’Once the implementation of the first phase is well underway, we will be developing the second phase of the plan to ensure that we are doing everything we can to reduce marine litter and unnecessary plastic use island-wide.

’We are already committed to introduce a single use plastic bag levy.’

The release of balloons will prohibited at govt departments and schools