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Tynwald to consider plan to cut Government's use of single use plastic

Thu, 05 Jul 2018

Tynwald will be asked to approve a plan to end unnecessary single use plastic use across Government by January 2021.

Environment Minister Geoffrey Boot will present the Government's plan to reduce plastic use at this month's sitting of the Island's parliament.

The plan includes a number of changes that would be made immediately if given to go-ahead, including minimising the use of single use plastics at events and banning balloon releases by Government departments, agencies, schools and other parties using Government land.

By January next year, single use straws, cotton buds, cutlery and plates would be prohibited across Government, while all unnecessary plastics are to be replaced with sustainable alternatives by January 2021.

The proposals would also bring in new laws to introduce a plastic bag levy within two years and recognising the challenge of marine plastic pollution.

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