5p Plastic Bag Levy Approved

Legislation to introduce a charge on single-use carrier bags in Northern Ireland has been approved by the Assembly.

Environment Minister Alex Attwood has announced the Single Use Carrier Bags Charge Regulations have been approved, and has predicted an 80% reduction in the use of such bags.

The legislation will become operational on 8 April this year.

Retailers will be required to charge at least 5p for each new single use carrier bag they supply to their customers.

The proceeds will be forwarded to the Department of the Environment.

Alex Attwood said: "Recent statistics have shown a significant increase in single use carrier bags handed out by major supermarkets in Northern Ireland - it is the big retailers which I am most interested in.

"This is an area where consumers can really help the environment. The image of NI as 'green & clean' – a major part of the character of our lives and the appeal of this place – can be deepened if we deal decisively with carrier bags and the damage they cause."

The levy will apply to plastic bags as well as bags made from paper, plant-based material or natural starch.

Exemptions from the levy can be made on the grounds of hygiene and food safety, the protection of both goods and consumers and confidentiality in respect of prescription medicines.

The Minister added: "The key objective of the carrier bag levy is to reduce or eliminate the unnecessary use of bags, regardless of the material from which they are made. The introduction of charging will help to communicate the wider ‘reduce and reuse’ waste message. The revenue raised from the levy will contribute towards a number of Departmental environmental programmes and activities."

(IT/GK)