The Isle of Man needs to broaden the types of plastic containers it recycles.

That was the call from Bill Shimmins (Middle) in the House of Keys last week.

He said: ’Only plastic bottles can be recycled in the island, when in a number of our neighbouring jurisdictions, a far wider variety of types of plastic can be recycled.

’In Guernsey, there is kerbside collection for plastic waste, including plastic bottles, pots, tops, juice cartons and at their recycling centres you can recycle bubble wrap, flower pots, garden furniture, polystyrene, polythene and rigid plastics.’

He asked Environment Minister Geoffrey Boot what he was doing to reduce the amount of plastic waste in the Isle of Man.

Mr Boot said there was ’an element of economy of scale’.

’We have an incinerator in the island which turns waste into energy and, in some respects, some of the minor plastic recycling is better disposed of through the incinerator, where we get a return without having to transport small amounts of waste, which would be economically unviable,’ he added. Mr Boot said his department supported measures to reduce plastic waste through a number of ways, including information-sharing with other jurisdictions.

Together with the Department of Infrastructure, the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture co-funded a scheme to collect plastic waste from farms, removing 245 tonnes last year.

The DEFA also provided financial support for Beach Buddies, a volunteer group that cleans up beaches.

’I believe that we have some of the cleanest beaches in the world as a result of Beach Buddies’ efforts,’ Mr Boot suggested.

The DEFA funded Manx Wildlife Trust on its environmental education work, ’which highlights the impacts of plastic litter on marine life, and the Manx Wildlife Trust also work with schools and other groups to promote reducing the use of plastic and promoting alternatives’.

Lawrie Hooper (LibVannin, Ramsey) asked what progress was being made on a potential plastic bad levy.

The minister said ’most’ of the island’s large retailers now imposed a levy and returned the money via local charity contributions.

’When you look at the UK model, I think indications are that any company that employs fewer than 200 people does not fall within the gambit of the plastic bag levy, which would exclude most of our small retailers in the island,’ Mr Boot said.

But, consumer behaviour was ’moving in the right direction’, with more people opting for re-useable bags, Mr Boot said.