Single Use Plastic Usage

Summary

A request for specific figures on single-use plastic usage by the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture was refused because compiling the data would require research not mandated by the Freedom of Information Act 2015. However, the department provided a partial audit appendix and information on their ongoing reduction plan.

Key Facts

• The request was refused under section 11(3)(b) of the FOIA 2015 as it required research or analysis of existing records.
• Plastic usage data is recorded across supplier invoices and the Axapta accounting system, often grouped by broad expenditure codes rather than specific items.
• DEFA is the lead department for the Single Use Plastics Reduction Plan and has begun auditing its own usage.
• The Government Laboratory currently cannot reduce or replace the use of bags and bottles required for operational work.
• A Refill scheme has been launched across the island to reduce the need for plastic water bottles.

Data Disclosed

• 2019-04-11
• 2019-05-14
• 794865
• section 11(3)(b)
• Axapta

Exemptions Cited

• Section 11(3)(b) of the Freedom of Information Act 2015 (research or analysis)

Original Request

Under the the FOIA 2015, I am requesting the provision of figures of the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture's single use plastic usage, including but not limited to; plastic cups, plastic straws, cutlery, coffee stirrers and bin liners, bags and bottles. I look forward to your response.

Data Tables (1)

Full Response Text

Freedom of Information Co-ordinator Corporate Services Directorate Thie Slieau Whallian, Foxdale Road, St John’s, Isle of Man, IM4 3AS Tel no (01624) 685854 Fax no (01624 685851 Email: defa@gov.im www.gov.im

Our ref: 794865 14th May 2019

Dear ###,

This request is being handled under the Freedom of Information Act 2015.

We write further to your request which was received on 11th April 2019 and which states:

"Under the the FOIA 2015, I am requesting the provision of figures of the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture's single use plastic usage, including but not limited to; plastic cups, plastic straws, cutlery, coffee stirrers and bin liners, bags and bottles. I look forward to your response."

Response While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance, complying with your request for information would require the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture (DEFA) to undertake research into, or analysis of, information that it holds, which it is not required to do under section 11(3)(b) of the Act. The information you request is recorded in two systems. Firstly it is recorded on numerous supplier invoices, some of which detail the items by name but many of which are detailed by catalogue codes or similar. It will also be recorded within the Government accounting system (Axapta) where it is recorded by individual invoice, which may include numerous unrelated items, and by expenditure code, which again will be grouped by category such as “Cleaning”, “Property Maintenance”, and “Equipment” etc. For these reasons Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture is not obliged to comply with your request. Further information The Department would, however, like to provide some further information. DEFA is the lead Government department on the Single Use Plastics Reduction Plan and for this purpose we have begun to audit our own use. The Appendix to this letter shows the beginning of an audit for the Department’s own use of single use plastics. Please note that the Government Laboratory uses bags and bottles in their operational work which cannot be reduced/replaced currently. Access to water relates to removing the need to

buy water in plastic bottles. We have also launched a Refill scheme across the island and we also provide refill stations for visitors. Further information may be found here https://www.gov.im/about-the- government/departments/environment-food-and-agriculture/ecosystem-policy-and- energy/plastics/ Please quote the reference number 794865 in any future communications.

Your right to request a review

If you are unhappy with this response to your freedom of information request, you may ask us to carry out an internal review of the response, by completing a complaint form and submitting it electronically or by delivery/post.

An electronic version of our complaint form can be found by going to our website at https://services.gov.im/freedom-of-information/Review . If you would like a paper version of our complaint form to be sent to you by post, please contact me and I will be happy to arrange for this. Your review request should explain why you are dissatisfied with this response, and should be made as soon as practicable. We will respond as soon as the review has been concluded.

If you are not satisfied with the result of the review, you then have the right to appeal to the Information Commissioner for a decision on; 1. Whether we have responded to your request for information in accordance with Part 2 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015; or 2. Whether we are justified in refusing to give you the information requested.
In response to an application for review, the Information Commissioner may, at any time, attempt to resolve a matter by negotiation, conciliation, mediation or another form of alternative dispute resolution and will have regard to any outcome of this in making any subsequent decision. More detailed information on your right to a review can be found on the Information Commissioner’s website at www.inforights.im. Should you have any queries concerning this letter, please do not hesitate to contact me. Further information about freedom of information requests can be found at www.gov.im/foi.

I will now close your request as of this date.

Yours sincerely

Freedom of Information Co-ordinator Appendix DEFA audit of single use plastic Note: TSW = Thie Slieau Whallian, St John’s