Climate Change (Single-Use Plastics) Regulations 2021 Consultation

The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture consulted on regulations to enact actions under The Single Use Plastic Reduction Plan for the Isle of Man Community: a legislative ban on the sale and distribution of particular single use plastic items (plates, plastic carrier bags, straws (with necessary exceptions i.e. medical use), stirrers, cutlery, polystyrene food containers for immediate use, polystyrene cups, plastic stemmed cotton buds, balloon sticks and Oxo-degradable plastics); and a legislative ban on the manufacture, sale and distribution of rinse-off personal care products that contain plastic microbeads.

There were 688 responses and broad support for the draft regulations. There was also support for restrictions on further single use plastic items.

Following this consultation, the Regulations have been amended to clarify the definition of ‘plastic’ that is controlled. The exemption for single use plastic bags for unwrapped blades will be removed from the Regulations as other more suitable materials (such as cardboard) are readily and cheaply available for this purpose. The Regulations have been clarified to ensure that single use items are only exempt in a prison or school setting for disability or access needs. With regard to multiple use plastic bags, the Department has decided to see what results from the ban on the provision of single use plastic  bags, and work with local businesses and plastic pollution NGO’s to monitor trends in bag usage and litter, which will be reviewed at a later date. No further market restrictions have been agreed at this time.

Please see the full report below for details.