Plastic bag levy proposed for Wales
20 February 2009
With an estimated 490 million plastic bags used in Wales every year, Welsh Assembly Government officials have been asked to start work on legislation to put an end to the use of single-use plastic bags. The aim is to get retailers to charge a fee to raise funds for environmental projects – a levy of 10p per bag could raise more than £6 million a year.
“Currently there is a voluntary agreement where certain retailers have agreed to reduce the number of single use carrier bags by 50% by May this year – this is a good target. But this does not cover all retailers and still leaves 50% using one trip plastic bags. I recognise we need to give the retail sector a chance to demonstrate what they can do voluntarily, but I am willing to use all the powers at our disposal.” Environment Minister Jane Davidson.
“Bags of Change certainly supports the move to reduce plastic bag useage but yet again we’re disappointed to see that politicians are shying away from an outright ban. We know it works! In Ireland the plastic bag levy introduced in 2002 resulted in a 90% reduction in the use of plastic bags.” Faith Simpson, Bags of Change.
What do you think of the proposed levy?
