Jersey politicians: It is time to ban single-use plastic bags

Single-use plastic and paper carrier bags could be banned in Jersey. Credit: PA

Single-use plastic and paper carrier bags could be banned in Jersey.

Deputy Inna Gardiner is calling for the ban after her attendance at a recent Commonwealth Parliamentary Association event where she learned the island is falling behind a number of other small jurisdictions where such a ban already exists.

Instead, she wants to encourage a “bring your own” bag culture, with an agreed minimum price introduced for “bags for life”.

Her idea will be debated by politicians on 16 June and, if approved, would oblige the Council of Ministers to bring forward legislation by February 2021, with a further six months for consumers and retailers to adjust to the changes without risk of prosecution.