07 November 2006
Food stores in Jersey and Guernsey will be co-operating to persuade Islanders to cut down on single use carrier bags and will instead encourage the use of ‘Bags for Life’, rucksacks or baskets. The ‘Choose to re-use’ initiative is being supported by Jersey’s Transport and Technical Services Department, working in coordination with Guernsey’s Environment Department.
A publicity campaign, launched on Wednesday 8th November, will run for the two weeks leading up to 'No Carrier Bag Day' on Thursday 23rd November, when participating food stores in Jersey and Guernsey will remove single use carrier bags from tills. The shops and supermarkets will display window posters reminding people to take their own shopping bags and to get into the habit of keeping baskets or ‘Bags for Life’ handy in the car.
Jim Plumley, Marketing Manager for the Channel Islands Co-operative Society says "The Channel Islands Co-operative Society is pleased to support the Channel Island wide "Carrier Bag Free Day", which is aimed at trying to get customers to be more aware of the amount of carrier bags they use. The Society has been very active in this area for many years through such schemes as Penny Back, which operates in all its food stores. The scheme, which has been operating for 10 years, gives a 1p donation to the Hospice for each carrier bag a customer re-uses. Last year £10, 000 was donated to the hospices (in both Islands) which equates to 1 million carrier bags being reused. The Co-op also promotes a "bag for Life" scheme and sells an eco friendly Jute carrier bag."
Transport and Technical Services Assistant Minister, Deputy Jacqui Huet, is promoting the project on behalf of the Department and has particularly welcomed support from Jersey branches of the Women’s Institute. "I am confident that we can rely on thousands of our local ladies to play their part in helping to save the environment by cutting down on their use of plastic bags," she said, adding, "When it comes to re-use and recycling, every little bit helps, even if it is just one bag. And we’ll be nagging the men to make sure they do their bit as well!"
John Rive, Jersey's Recycling Officer commented, "Choosing a bag for life is an excellent starting point towards adopting a less wasteful lifestyle. It's also a great way of getting people to think about recycling."
The Co-op, Checkers Superstores, Checkers Express, Marks and Spencer, Safeway and the Wine Warehouse are all taking part in ‘No Carrier Bag Day’.
gov.je