Banning plastic cups in government and introducing a plastic bag levy are part of a bigger plan to reduce single-use plastics in the island.

The ’Single Use Plastics Reduction Plan for the Isle of Man Government’, looks at what is already being done as well as what can be done to further cut back on plastic.

Environment Minister Geoffrey Boot will lay the report before next week’s Tynwald sittng.

Chief Minister Howard Quayle said: ’In January 2018, I made a commitment that the Council of Ministers’ environment and infrastructure policy committee would develop a plan to significantly reduce the amount of single use plastic we use over the course of the current administration.

’This "Single Use Plastics Reduction Plan for the Isle of Man Government" shows how we will deliver significant usage reductions.’

The action plan was created after a review of current plastic use in government and looking at evidence of the sustainability of alternatives to single-use plastic.

If the plan is supported by Tynwald, focus would now be placed on banning plastic straws, cotton buds, cutlery, plates, cups and drinks stirrers across government with exceptions being made where needed.

Training and resources would be provided for sustainability champions.

The use of plastic would be minimised and replaced with alternatives at events.

Balloon releases would be banned at government departments and schools.

And there’s a committment to ensuring easy access to tap water in government buildings to minimise the use of plastic bottled drinks being consumed.

Consumption

The report states that work is already being carried out to reduce plastic use including a government-wide survey about single-plastic.

Each department and agency has been asked to appoint a sustainability champion to help reduce plastic use.

And departments have been asked to cut back on plastic at events like Tynwald Day, working with businesses to create plastic-free packaging, education within schools and community initiatives such as Beach Buddies.

The Chief Minister added: ’The threat to marine life from plastics came to the forefront of global attention in 2017.

’Marine plastics cause direct impacts on marine species, such as tangling and choking, but also tiny plastic particles and associated toxins are infiltrating all levels of the marine food chain, creating a problem which will impact on generations well into the future.

’The majority of the Isle of Man’s waste plastic is efficiently processed and the energy it contains is recycled into electricity, however some plastics do find their way into the environment and it is important to tackle this issue.’

Although initial focus is on the government, the next step will be to engage with the private sector and the public.

One proposed initiative is to introduce a plastic bag levy, which could be implemented within two years.

The report states that since levies were introduced in neighbouring jurisdictions significant reductions in single use plastic bags have been made as well as the numbers polluting the marine environment.

Another proposal is to involve everyone in reducing plastics and increasing sustainability to make a difference locally and globally by having ’a plastics stakeholder forum and seeking accreditation through existing plastic reduction programmes’.

Other initiatives are to spread awareness of plastics entering the Manx marine environment, working with food and drink vendors and the public to take responsibility for waste disposal and to consider the health complications of plastics following research carried out by the World Health Organisation and other sources.