Call for rest of UK to charge for carrier bags
Twelve months ago Wales became the first of the four home nations to implement such a scheme which requires shoppers to bring their own plastic bags or face a minimum 5p charge – with proceeds going to charity.
Northern Ireland is set to bring in a similar levy next year, while Scotland and England’s governments are yet to make up their minds.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdJohn Griffiths believes both should follow Wales’s lead after the charge has reduced single-use carrier bags by up to 96 per cent.
He said: “The Welsh experience proves if you want to effectively reduce carrier bag use, a charge really is the best way to go.”
The British Retail Consortium voiced mixed feelings about the charge and stressed a consistent approach would be needed if the scheme was rolled out in the UK.
Spokesman Richard Dodd said: “Compulsory charging for single use plastic bags is a brutal approach, which risks switching people off from engaging with environmental issues. A voluntary and incentivised scheme would be far better – for example people who bring in their own bags are rewarded through coupons or a points scheme.