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Government should support:
Jersey could lead the way in banning the use of single use plastics and micro plastics - encouraging our local producers to use recyclable alternatives to plastic. Waste is a global issue but this small Island could lead the way by leading by example.
Local Producers and Growers could lead the way in reducing the use of single use plastics - the produce doesn't have far to travel - don't over wrap it, it is so wasteful to put courgettes, carrots and leaks in a plastic tray and then wrap in plastic, why are cucumbers wrapped in plastic! Using less packaging will reduce costs to the producer and serious thought needs to be put in to waste minimisation and the government should support this.
Links with groups like Genuine Jersey, Jersey Milk and agricultural groups to replace use of plastics, switching to recyclable alternatives eg cardboard and waste minimisation.
Education - programmes to encourage recycling and to minimise the use of single use plastics - in schools, at home and in the work place. Educate to encourage a change in lifestyle - eg we have already seen people moving away from single use carrier bags, plastic cups, straws and cutlery, this could be taken further by encouraging refilling shampoo bottles/shower gels etc and using farm shops and minimum waste shops.
Work with "plasticfreejersey" and "EcoActive" to extend their education programmes and work with local businesses, schools and community groups to help Jersey become a leader in waste minimisation.
Support should be given to local shops/businesses that minimise waste eg farm shops, stalls in the Central Market and the newly opened Mini Mall and soon to open Scoop Shop. I know there are many other businesses that wish to help reduce waste and I have seen this at cafes and some of the summer events where caterers have switched from single use plastics but this change should be also supported by having efficient recycling available to them.
Encouraged Off-Island Suppliers to minimise waste on their products and discuss waste minimisation with all their producers. If we are leading by example on our own products then larger supplier will have no option to follow suit.
Plastics Tax - which could be returned to the education programmes mentioned above. Recycling:
Be clear what can and can't be efficiently recycled and advise individuals and businesses on the correct products to use - currently not really clear and the labels on products can be misleading.
Consistency over the entire Island with recycling schemes - not all Parishes have a kerbside recycling scheme, for example St Brelade - what a great scheme - collecting general rubbish, glass, plastic bottles, cardboard and metal separately - well done St Brelade. All Parishes should follow a similar scheme - surely we should all be doing the something as our waste goes to one central site? The recycling programme should also be backed up with regular reminders so that the correct items go into the separate waste streams.
Central Recycling areas, for example Les Creux - works well most of the time but sometimes the bins are left to get overfull and then this leads to rubbish flying around the countryside - they need to be kept clean.
How can businesses help:
Listen to the customer - we don't want to take home so much waste.
Over the last couple of years I have become really concerned about the quantity of plastic packaging coming home in my weekly shop, in particular fruit and vegetables. For example, in some supermarkets the lovely local vegetables are wrapped or even double wrapped in plastic cartons and cellophane.
Minimise the packaging used on their products - carrots, courgettes and parsnips for example really don't need a plastic tray, they can be simply wrapped once or sold loose and put in brown paper bags.
Do biscuits really need a plastic support inside the plastic wrapper?
Encourage all suppliers to minimise waste, to think carefully about over use of packaging. Ask their suppliers to switch to using recyclable cardboard cartons and paper bags/wrappers instead of plastic.
Sell more loose products and supply brown paper bags to put them in.
Switch from plastic bags to paper bags for fruit and vegetables, bread rolls etc. Offer refill service for products like shampoo, shower gels, hand wash etc.