Menu
30/01/2012
Attwood Announces Plastic Bag Tax
Environment Minister Alex Attwood today announced that a five pence levy on single use carrier bags will be introduced in April 2013.
This will increase to ten pence in April 2014. The Minister has lowered the levy in the first year enabling consumers to adjust to the concept. Further, there will be no charge on multi use carrier bags in April 2013 as the ten pence levy won't apply to these bags until April 2014.
This is the first time that a levy will be introduced on carrier bags in Northern Ireland.
Alex Attwood said: "There is no doubt that carrier bags are a scourge on the environment. Evidence from other countries demonstrates that a bag levy is a simple and effective means to reduce substantially the negative environmental impact of carrier bag consumption. A proposed ten pence levy on single use carrier bags and lower cost reusable carrier bags can bring about significant environmental improvement.
"However I recognise that consumers will need time to change their behaviour and adjust to bringing their own bags when they shop. I therefore propose to discount the charge to five pence in the first year, when the levy will only apply to single use carrier bags. This will ensure a phased approach to charging. I am committed to making Northern Ireland a better place to live, work and invest and this will certainly contribute to that goal."
Administration of the scheme will be based in Derry, reflecting the Minister’s commitment to job dispersal in the draft Programme for Government.
He said: "With the creation of the new carrier bag levy I welcome the potential to now locate up to ten civil servant posts in the North West, through the establishment of a new collection and enforcement team to administer the levy and deliver a cost effective in-house IT system."
Alex Attwood concluded: "I fully recognise that this new levy will be of great relevance to many consumers and businesses in Northern Ireland. People can get detailed information of arrangements for implementation on http://www.rethinkwasteni.org/carrierbaglevy. The website will be updated and extended, as the details of the carrier bag levy are developed."
The introduction of the levy is subject to Assembly approval of the required legislation.
(GK)
This will increase to ten pence in April 2014. The Minister has lowered the levy in the first year enabling consumers to adjust to the concept. Further, there will be no charge on multi use carrier bags in April 2013 as the ten pence levy won't apply to these bags until April 2014.
This is the first time that a levy will be introduced on carrier bags in Northern Ireland.
Alex Attwood said: "There is no doubt that carrier bags are a scourge on the environment. Evidence from other countries demonstrates that a bag levy is a simple and effective means to reduce substantially the negative environmental impact of carrier bag consumption. A proposed ten pence levy on single use carrier bags and lower cost reusable carrier bags can bring about significant environmental improvement.
"However I recognise that consumers will need time to change their behaviour and adjust to bringing their own bags when they shop. I therefore propose to discount the charge to five pence in the first year, when the levy will only apply to single use carrier bags. This will ensure a phased approach to charging. I am committed to making Northern Ireland a better place to live, work and invest and this will certainly contribute to that goal."
Administration of the scheme will be based in Derry, reflecting the Minister’s commitment to job dispersal in the draft Programme for Government.
He said: "With the creation of the new carrier bag levy I welcome the potential to now locate up to ten civil servant posts in the North West, through the establishment of a new collection and enforcement team to administer the levy and deliver a cost effective in-house IT system."
Alex Attwood concluded: "I fully recognise that this new levy will be of great relevance to many consumers and businesses in Northern Ireland. People can get detailed information of arrangements for implementation on http://www.rethinkwasteni.org/carrierbaglevy. The website will be updated and extended, as the details of the carrier bag levy are developed."
The introduction of the levy is subject to Assembly approval of the required legislation.
(GK)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
19 August 2021
30% Fewer Disposable Carrier Bags Given Out In The Last Year
The number of plastic, disposable, carrier bags given out by retailers in the last year fell by more than 30%, with 24.3 million fewer bags dispensed. The 8th annual Carrier Bag Levy statistics for Northern Ireland showed that in 2020/21 shows that 56.
30% Fewer Disposable Carrier Bags Given Out In The Last Year
The number of plastic, disposable, carrier bags given out by retailers in the last year fell by more than 30%, with 24.3 million fewer bags dispensed. The 8th annual Carrier Bag Levy statistics for Northern Ireland showed that in 2020/21 shows that 56.
10 January 2023
SDLP Calls For Action On Plastics Ban In NI
The SDLP has called for progress to be made on a single-use plastics ban in Northern Ireland. Climate Change Spokesperson Mark H Durkan made the call after an announcement that a ban would be progressed in England before the end of the year.
SDLP Calls For Action On Plastics Ban In NI
The SDLP has called for progress to be made on a single-use plastics ban in Northern Ireland. Climate Change Spokesperson Mark H Durkan made the call after an announcement that a ban would be progressed in England before the end of the year.
10 November 2021
Carrier Bag Levy To Increase From 5p To 25p
The Northern Ireland Carrier Bag Levy will increase from 5p to 25p from 01 April 2022, Environment Minister Edwin Poots has announced. The Minister made the announcement during an Oral Statement to the Assembly on Northern Ireland's first overarching Environment Strategy.
Carrier Bag Levy To Increase From 5p To 25p
The Northern Ireland Carrier Bag Levy will increase from 5p to 25p from 01 April 2022, Environment Minister Edwin Poots has announced. The Minister made the announcement during an Oral Statement to the Assembly on Northern Ireland's first overarching Environment Strategy.
25 February 2020
Carrier Bag Tax Raises £2.2m
Some 24 environmental projects are to share in £2.2 million raised through the plastic bag levy. The tax, introduced in April 2013, places a five pence charge on every carrier bag sold.
Carrier Bag Tax Raises £2.2m
Some 24 environmental projects are to share in £2.2 million raised through the plastic bag levy. The tax, introduced in April 2013, places a five pence charge on every carrier bag sold.
01 May 2015
£1.25m Natural Environment Fund Opens
A £1.25 million Natural Environment Fund (NEF) has now opened for applications. The fund, for Non Governmental Organisations (NGO) in Northern Ireland, aims to help protect landscape, species and access to the countryside.
£1.25m Natural Environment Fund Opens
A £1.25 million Natural Environment Fund (NEF) has now opened for applications. The fund, for Non Governmental Organisations (NGO) in Northern Ireland, aims to help protect landscape, species and access to the countryside.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
