Plastics

Single use plastics represent an unsustainable use of oil, which is a finite resource. A lot of single use plastic it is unnecessary, as alternatives are available. Reducing our use of these items can contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Marine plastics also cause direct impacts on marine species, such as tangling and choking, but also tiny plastic particles and associated toxins are infiltrating all levels of the marine food chain, creating a problem which may impact on generations well into the future.

The Isle of Man government is committed to reducing the amount of single use plastic used within government and on the island. The Single Use Plastics Reduction Plan for the Isle of Man Government provided a lead and the Single Use Plastic Reduction Plan for the Isle of Man Community extends this across the community.

The plastic waste that is collected is either recycled or burnt to turn the energy it contains into electricity. However some plastics do find their way into the environment and it is important to tackle this issue and make littering socially unacceptable.

The Community Plan includes a legislative ban on certain single use plastic items, education and awareness work and several schemes to promote plastic reduction.

The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture also works in partnership with Manx Wildlife Trust and Beach Buddies on initiatives to inform and educate on plastics issues and reduce plastics in the Manx environment. A roadshow display on marine litter is available – contact the DEFA Ecosystem Policy Unit to book it for a period.

How you can make a difference:

• Use reusable items
• Avoid flushing down plastics
• Say no to single use plastics
• Join Beach Buddies or 3 Pieces of Plastic

The Plastic Free Business Scheme showcases businesses that have taken action to become plastic free and is ran in partnership with Beach Buddies and Isle of Man Government.

The Plastic Free Business scheme aims to celebrate businesses that have removed those specific single use items, but also showcase organisations that have made efforts to further reduce other single use plastic items, such as removing sauce sachets, providing water bottle refills or buying concentrated versions of cleaning products to reduce packaging.

Businesses can register as either:

‘Supporting’ by removing single use plastic plates, bags, stirrers, straws, cutlery, polystyrene food and beverage containers, plastic stemmed cotton buds, balloon sticks and oxo-degradable plastics 

or

‘Plastic-free’ by removing all unnecessary single use plastics from their day to day activities.

Businesses that join the scheme will be presented with certificates and window stickers to display, and provided with support and advice in making practical changes. 

5 small steps to join the Plastic Free Business Scheme 

1. Reduce your single use plastic - Check out our tips on our website.
2. Make the change.
3. Register your organisation: email beachbuddiesisleofman@gmail.com to receive your pack.
4. Let Beach Buddies know what items you’ve removed and steps you’ve made to become plastic free to receive a certificate and window sticker.
5. Display your sticker with pride.

Beach Cleaning Guide - Nesting Birds

Breeding season for many birds runs from May to August each year.

Lots of birds nest on beaches above the high-tide line. Their nests and eggs are very well camouflaged; so they can easily be trodden on. Follow this guide to help protect nesting birds while beach cleaning.

If people and dogs get too close to a nest it scares the adult birds which stops them from going back to the nest to incubate eggs or feed and protect their chicks.

Fishing for Litter

The Fishing for Litter (FFL) is an initiative where the Isle of Man Government provide fishermen with reusable marine litter sacks to collect rubbish that is caught in nets during normal fishing activities.

Filled bags are emptied into designated quayside bins before the waste is safely taken away. Buckets are also available from harbour offices around the island so crews can prevent any plastic from blowing into the sea when undertaking tasks such as net mending.

Each Isle of Man port is paired with a local school and information from the marine litter collected will be used to educate children about the issue. Children can learn all about the range of waste items found at sea, and the issues that they cause. A Fishing for Litter activity pack can be accessed online. 

If you are a fisherman who would like to get involved, sign up and collect a reusable sack from your local harbour office, the Manx Fish Producers Association, Isle of Man Seafood’s limited or alternatively email Plastic@gov.im.