Government is planning to eliminate all unnecessary single use plastics in the public service by 2021.
It’s bringing a new plan, developed by the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture, to Tynwald this month.
Among the proposed actions are:
- Minimising the use of single use plastics at government event
- Ensuring easy access to tap water in government buildings
- Banning balloon releases by government and on government owned land
- Building up the capacity of sustainability champions across departments, boards and offices
- A plastics education programme in schools and the wider community
Minister Geoffrey Boot MHK says: "There is a clear and urgent need to take sustained global action on single use plastics and the Isle of Man must play its part.
"This is a complex challenge, but long term change is required by all in our community to ensure plastic is only used in a sustainable way.
"It is only right, however, that government get its own house in order and leads by example.
"That is why our first plan mostly focuses on reducing single use plastics within Government, before progressing wider measures within our community.”
