In Jersey, customers no longer receive single use carrier bags made of plastic or paper when buying goods.
As a trader, you:
can’t import or supply single use paper and plastic bags must charge at least 70 pence for a reusable bag made of recyclable paper or plastic. This must be charged separately and include GST You can be fined up to £1,000 if you don’t follow the law.
The restrictions are in place to:
reduce waste encourage customers to bring their own bag change our culture support the global efforts to reduce carbon emissions This doesn’t apply to bags made from other materials such as cotton, canvas and jute.
Single Use Plastics etc. (Restrictions) (Jersey) Law 2021
Trader guide to single use plastics law
Single use plastic technical gu​idance
Guide for marketing and events
VIDEO
If you supply the following bags, they must:
meet the specifications provided in the table below be charged at a minimum of 70 pence, including GST You can use the profits from selling these bags how you want.
If you’re a bag wholesaler or distributor, the minimum price doesn’t have to be added to the wholesale price.
You can supply customers the following bags free of charge.
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You can’t supply of import the following bags.
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You can provide customers with a reuse scheme for second-hand bags.
A reuse scheme means that customers can bring pre-owned bags to your premises for other customers. These second-hand bags would be free of charge.
The scheme encourages recycling and extends the life of bags already in circulation.
Very lightweight plastic carrier bags you may supply free of charge must comply with the OK Compost Home certification, or equivalent.
The certification means that a bag is suitable for home composting.
The equivalents are:
France: NF T 51800 (2015). Specifications for plastics suitable for home composting Europe: prEN 17427 (2020). Requirements and test scheme for packaging and carrier bags suitable for treatment in well-managed home composting installations ​Australia: AS 5810 (2010). Biodegradable plastics suitable for home composting Ok Compost Home on TÜV AUSTRIA (TÜV AUSTRIA are the certification body)