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Islanders are being encouraged to 'BYOB' - 'bring your own bag' - after a single-use plastic and paper bag ban officially came into force today.
The ban means that traders have just six months to use up any leftover single-use stock they have - if they buy in any new single-use bags after this point or continue to offer them to customers, they could be fined up to £1,000.
Under the new Single Use Plastics Law, shops and traders will also have to charge islanders at least 70p to buy a reusable plastic bag.
The aim of the law is to cut down on plastic waste and reduce carbon emissions. It was first put forward by Education Minister Deputy Inna Gardiner when she was a backbencher in 2020.
Video: An explanation of the new law.
After it received the support of States Members, the then-Infrastructure Minister Kevin Lewis had to draw up formal plans to make the single-use plastic bag ban a reality.
"I never thought we would see this come into effect so soon after breaking temperature records," Deputy Gardiner said.
"I hope Islanders embrace this cultural change and maybe even have a favourite bag they use every time they go to the shops. This is one way everybody in Jersey can show they want to protect the environment and do something to reduce global emissions."
Current Infrastructure Minister Deputy Tom Binet said that Trading Standards and the Chamber of Commerce had been working to prepare traders for the change and to ensure they are aware o the bag specifications that can and can't be provided or imported "over many months".
"I'll be working closely with the new Environment Minister on the implementation of the Carbon Neutral Roadmap policies that will encourage further behavioural changes to set us on the way to our net-zero goal by 2050," he added.
Lightweight plastic carrier bags
Very lightweight plastic carrier bags
Paper carrier bags with a weight of 50h per sqm
Plastic reusable bags made of recyclable plastic
Paper reusable bags
Very lightweight plastic carrier bags which meet the OK Compose Home certification
Paper 'counter' bag
Integral product packaging - where goods are sealed prior to their sale
Gift bags purchased for the intended purpose of gift-wrapping only
Bin liners, nappy sacks and bags used to hold uncooked fish and/or meat, live fish or aquatic creatures, prescription medicine or clear plastic bags for air travel
You can find out more about the exact specifications HERE.
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