Government plans to reduce plastic bags by 12 billion
18 March 2008
In last week’s Budget, Alistair Darling stated that the Government would bring in legislation in 2009 to reduce the number of plastic bags in use by 12 billion – unless companies cut usage themselves. Bags of Change supports the Chancellor’s efforts but why not a complete ban and why not now?!
To date, many countries have taken action to discourage the use of plastic bags including Australia, Bangladesh, Ireland, Italy, South Africa, Taiwan and parts of India. So surely we don’t need another year to change our habits for the better.
Karen Skidmore · Mar 18, 09:42 pm · #
Totally with you on this one, Faith. I still get so frustrated by shop assistants who automatically put my purchases in to a plastic bag in stead of asking me if I have my own (which I always do!).
Some of my local shops in Haslemere are getting better at asking “Do you need a bag?” but there seems to be some serious re-training needed in the retail industry to re-educate shop assistants not to offer plastic bags.
Which is why I believe the tax needs to be made (even though it will be passed directly to the customer, of course!) – but at least it will make the shops think about the cost implications. Perhaps the tax should be made on the ordering of the plastic bags by the retailer, rather than the final use of one.
Karen
lien guidon · Mar 19, 10:21 am · #
The use of plastic bags should be banned now! A number of shops are happy to ask their clients if they wish not to take plastic bags… it’s a start, but not enough people carry their own textile bags…