Dear Sir,

I recently read Sophia Collis’s excellent article, “Planning the way forward on plastics: option 1”. Even though the article explained, in depth, a step-by-step process of banning single-use plastics in Bermuda, as far as I know the Government has not yet fully completed any of these steps.

Of course, government ministers have been encouraging the public to reduce their plastic use in various ways, but we need a concrete, decisive ban on at least some type of single-use plastic as soon as possible.

I believe that a ban on single-use plastic bags being distributed by stores would be a relatively simple, and certainly effective, step to take. Of course, Gibbons Company has already effectively phased out non-reusable bags with its amazing — and beautiful — ocean-patterned reusable totes, made from plastic bottles.

Other stores should take this step, as it would undeniably bring positive customer feedback. However, there are many simple alternatives to distributing plastic bags. I would happily accept my groceries in paper or compostable bags. Alternatively, if a store decided to follow Thailand’s lead and provide no bags at all, I would be willing to carry purchases in my backpack or just my hands — while, of course, waving my receipt in the air to reassure the staff.

The Government has made a promise to phase out single-use plastics by 2022. But so far, it has mainly just repeated this promise to the Fridays for Future marchers who gather outside the Cabinet building.

This needs to change. We need action. It has been said before: we need “deeds, not words”.

The Government needs to implement some kind of law prohibiting single-use plastics very soon. It needs to remember its Plan A because there is no Planet B.

KATIE GRAINGE

Pembroke