Pack and Wrap - Response to Follow-up Questions - 15 November 2018

1. Being a small island, is Jersey any worse off in terms of its reliance on importation, and ultimately its ability to reduce the importation of plastic packaging, than say the UK for example? Or does the UK face similar issues?

It is true that much plastic material in the form of polymers is imported into the UK. However this is no different from paper and other materials. The channel islands & the UK do have plastic recycling facilities as does the EU but virgin is still required as is the case of paper for which virgin is required for food and drink packaging. the purpose of PRN (packaging recovery notes) reform is to provide funding for a UK recycling infrastructure for all materials not just plastic. This will reduce the need to import virgin material and will stop the export of waste particularly to countries outside the EU. Jersey & Guernsey is no different. The word' worse' is very misleading, importations essential for many materials throughout our economy.

2. As a hypothetical question, if as an example, Jersey were to introduce a ban on all plastic straws into the island, how would this affect your business? Would you see consumer demand for eco- friendly straws increase as there would be no competition for a cheaper plastic alternative? Or would there be any unintended consequences you could foresee?

The unintended consequences are for the disabled. Plastic straws will most likely be banned under the EU Single Use Plastic directive. The UK will clearly go along with this but I have been informed that plastic straws will be made available in pharmacists over the counter for disabled users. The reason for this is paper will not work for hot drinks and disabled people will not use glass or metal because they have less control over their bite. I believe pubs, bars and clubs should be allowed to carry a stock of plastic straws for their disabled customers. I would argue coffee shops as well. We have decided that we will be delisting plastic straws and as of now we will not be ordering plastic and our customer base within the channel islands will be informed of this at the end of November at which time paper straws will be offered , the issue I believe is that for the few customers that do not want to change the internet will be the option which will affect our business . With regard to so called compostable / biodegradable straws marine environmental scientists have stated very clearly they are not welcome in marine environments and rivers. To paraphrase Professor Richard Thompson of the University of Plymouth 'compostables introduce a sludge into oceans which we don't want, if plastic is to end up in oceans we would rather it was rigid as this has less impact on marine life'

3. What would be the impact to your business if Jersey were to introduce a tax on plastic straws or other avoidable single-use plastics? Would this encourage consumer demand for paper straws or other eco-friendly alternatives?

Inevitably the demand for alternatives grows which we can already see. Paper straws obviously don't perform as well and have a bigger carbon footprint. For 'eco-friendly' to work, the channel islands must ensure all are collected and composted industrially which then means we need AD facilities (anaerobic digestion) on the islands. Attention will need to be given as to which bin householders use to dispose of them. Will they go in with food waste? Or Garden waste? If the outcome is incineration which we do in jersey then no benefit has been gained as we gain energy from waist . Attention also needs to be given to the potential for increased litter as there are many people who believe it is acceptable to drop compostables on the ground just as they do with banana skins and apple cores. This is why Keep Britain Tidy is strongly opposed to compostables. As for a tax on packaging the volume we purchase is very small and decreasing as we are offering alternatives. And like any increase this will be passed onto the end user.

4. You commented in your submission that "over the last few months made the decision to discontinue the use of plastic straws and plastic stirrers which will be replaced with paper straws and wooden stirrers but due to the increase in the demand for these products I am having great difficulty in securing a stable supply route which is delaying the discontinuation of the plastics". What help could government provide, if any, to help overcome this?

The demand for alternatives is global. Much is imported from China. It is possible with China not being able to supply the USA more will become available. The price of many plastics is rising as a result of global demand even with all the issues with plastics. Ultimately whoever pays the most gets the items and this will be at an increased cost to the consumer. And our buying group (Socius Network) have now agreed with a UK manufacture for a supply of paper straws which then becomes a better option and hopefully should reduce our risk of running out of stock . And I cannot see how any Government can help in any supply issues as we are governed by demand.

5. What could government do to help ease the burden of the extra costs to businesses (and consumers) of eco-friendly alternatives in some cases?

Lowering taxes to businesses is of course welcomed. Particularly as many are under such immense financial pressure. Coffee shops are an asset to the high street, enabling a cafe culture and providing a vital social function. The public are using pubs less frequently hence the growth in coffee consumption as we still like to meet friends and colleagues. The States focus however must be on creating a recycling and composting infrastructure.

6. Should Jersey have specialist composting facilities to promote the use of compostable plastics?

This is essential. Without the facilities there is no point in having compostables on the island as my customers keep telling me why buy compostable when it just goes up a chimney . At the same time information to the public is needed and retailers and caterers must play their part if this route is to be successful. If AD is to be used it is vital to involve Jersey's & Guernsey's agricultural sector at the very earliest stage as they are by far the biggest users regarding packing for the supermarkets etc.

7. What recycling collections or facilities, if any, could be provided to help businesses such as yours manage the recycling of plastic waste?

Collection is critical both at kerbside and on the go. Both need to be developed in such a way that the public is not confused. A first step is to address MRF facilities (material recycling facility) and consider the possibility of more kerbside sortation. On the go waste management is a priority and attention must be given to the bins in the high street and the information given on them. This its all going to be driven by the demand for the recycled / composted packaging as the potential value achieved from both will determine the infrastructure that can be created. The demand for recycled PET (rPET) is huge and is growing rapidly as beverage producers seek to increase recycled content. We strongly advise discussions take place with Environmental Services Association and the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management in the UK or our local alternatives.