Sustainability is at the heart of our Islands' plans for the future, and is an important issue for many Islanders. There are lots of sustainability initiatives that you can get involved in.
Islanders in Guernsey are working hard to protect and preserve our Islands for future generations and visitors for years to come. Here are some of the sustainable practices taking place on the Islands of Guernsey that you can get involved in.
Beach Cleans
Beach cleans, both regular and impromptu, one off events, are organised by locals all over the Islands of Guernsey to help keep the shorelines free from litter. Whether you organise an event with a community or group, or simply head out yourself for a walk with a bag for collection, you can make a real difference. Many groups organise events on Facebook, if you would like to get involved.
Zero Waste Shopping
Plastic waste is something we can all work to reduce in our daily lives. The Guernsey Weigh in the Market Square of St Peter Port is Guernsey’s first zero waste store, encouraging locals to buy goods in refillable bags and jars. You can find rices, pastas and grains, as well as tea and sweets and even cleaning and beauty products. So far, they estimate the shop has saved hundreds of plastic packaging items from polluting the environment. Alderney and Sark have also introduced milk dispensing stations that allow locals to refill their glass bottles with fresh milk from the islands, eliminating hundreds of milk cartons from circulation.
Refill Stations
When you are exploring Guernsey, you can keep yourself hydrated by visiting one of the Refill Stations. In an effort to avoid excess plastic pollution, these stations provide free, clean drinking water to refill your water bottle, rather than buying new plastic bottles. You can find these stations at The Liberation Monument in town, where boats for Herm depart, at the King George V Cricket Grounds on the west coast, the Millennium Walk at St Saviour's Reservoir and Cobo Bay. You will also find 63 retailers and businesses around the Island participating in the Refill scheme who will happily fill up your bottle for you.
Find out more about the Refill Stations here.
Local Produce and Hedge Veg
Local produce is fantastic; not only are you supporting others in your community, you are also helping to reduce food transportation miles. On the Islands of Guernsey, you will find a lot of fresh fruit and vegetables, as well as meat, eggs and dairy products, available in supermarkets and restaurants. Supporting local and eating seasonal food is an amazing way to be more sustainable, and also enjoy fresher, more nutritious food.
Islanders are passionate supporters of local produce, and there is no better example of this than our Hedge Veg stalls. Within the lanes of Guernsey, you will find small stalls where islanders sell their homegrown goods using an honesty box system. You will find homegrown produce like tomatoes, cucumbers, potatoes and fresh eggs alongside homemade cakes, preserves and bread. Hedge Veg stall owners also make an effort to use sustainable packaging wherever possible.
EVie Bikes
A more sustainable way to see Guernsey, EVie bikes are electric bikes with a high power motor and a 15mph top speed to get up those steep countryside hills. They can go up to 40 miles (65km) on a single charge, so you have plenty of miles available for you to explore the Island by bike. When you’re done, your bike can be returned at any marked Zone on the map, or a suitable other place for a convenience fee. Simply download the EVie app from the app store to find your closest EVie Bikes. And, for those distances that are too far to walk or cycle, Guernsey has a network of accessible public transport that makes it easy to explore the Island using sustainable means of transportation. Whether you are travelling to historic sites, beaches or into town, all major attractions are just a short bus ride away.
Repair and Reuse
Repair groups and drop-in sessions in community hubs like the library and town centre are helping islanders to get more life out of their possessions. From electricals and furniture to clothing and toys, a culture of repair rather than throwing away is being fostered on the Islands. The focus of these sessions is to ‘transfer skills between generations’ and help create a more sustainable community.
Litter Picking
A basic but highly important job, The Clean Earth Trust in Guernsey encourages locals to pick up stray litter on their walks. They have provided litter pickers at the libraries and beach kiosks around the island. Some kiosks even offer a free ice cream if you collect a bucket full of rubbish, a great community incentive!
The Islands of Guernsey are working hard to protect our local environment, and we hope this inspires you to get involved in the many sustainable activities going on.
