Campaigners want to bring in tax on plastic bags in Isle of Man
Charges already apply in Scotland, Wales, Ireland and the Channel Island, and a 5p charge will be introduced in larger stores in England from October.
Cat Turner, co-ordinator for Isle of Man Friends of the Earth, said: ‘It would be easy here. It’s our laws. We can make our own legislation.
‘Plastic bags are one of the most visible, yet easily avoided sources of litter and harm to wildlife – and on top of that they’re made using oil, best left where it is in the ground. We’d see a plastic bag tax as a decent start – but a complete ban, as is being used in many countries and cities around the world, would be far better. This could be backed up by a small charge for “re-useables”, as experience shows that if you don’t do this, free re-useables simply end up as single-use bags, being discarded and replaced on each trip.’
However, Department of the Environment, Food and Agriculture minister Richard Ronan said the government is exploring introducing a voluntary contribution for plastic bags until the relevant legislation for a compulsory charge is in place.
He said the busy legislative calendar means it is unlikely a bill regarding plastic bag charges will be passed before the next general election.
