NI Plastic Bag Levy Introduced

From today, Northern Ireland's shoppers will be charged for every single-use carrier bag they pick up at the till.

Under the new measures, retailers must now charge shoppers at least 5 pence for each new single use carrier bag.

The Department of the Environment (DOE) has been keen to point out that the new measures are not a 'shopping tax', as the levy will apply to each bag, rather than each shop.

The DOE says the move will cut the estimated 250m single use bags used here every year.

The levy also includes bags made from paper, starch and other natural materials.

Environment Minister Alex Attwood said: "In Northern Ireland we are using 30,000 carrier bags each and every hour. This levy is intended to help protect the environment by dramatically cutting the number of bags used. Working with the retail sector we are aiming for a reduction of at least 80%. Some retailers have already indicated that they will be eliminating single use bags altogether.

"There is already a high awareness among people here of charging for bags, not least because that is our experience travelling to the republic. I believe we can quickly adjust to the levy. People tell me they are concerned about climate change and want to find ways to make personal, family and local contributions to addressing the threat. The levy is precisely this.

"Shoppers can completely avoid paying the levy by bringing their own bags when shopping. Whether it’s a 'bag for life', a canvas bag, or just an ordinary plastic carrier bag, it all helps the environment by using less raw materials, reducing carbon emissions and reducing air and water pollution. This is what the levy is all about."

There are exemptions, which may be applied on the grounds of hygiene and food safety, for example when a bag is essential to protect goods or consumers and for prescription items.

Bags manufactured for reuse are also exempt.

But Northern Ireland Retail Consortium (NIRC) Director, Aodhán Connolly, said plastic bags should not be politicians' priority.

"Our members are targeting the much bigger environmental prizes to be won from, for example, reducing the whole-life impact of products from manufacture and transport through their lifespan to disposal and recycling," he said.

"But, with the legislation in place, our members have devoted substantial resources to staff training and other preparations and they're confident they're ready for this new regime.

"Even so, there is still the possibility of frontline staff in shops, small and large, facing conflict and confusion from customers who haven't been well enough informed. I hope the Department and the public will be patient while we all get used to this new system.

"We're grateful for some of the common sense exemptions included in the Act - you can still have a free bag for privacy reasons with pharmacy items and for health and safety reasons with hot takeaway food. I hope the Minister shows the same good sense by dropping his plans for a further bill to put a 10p levy on re-usable bags. Surely we should encourage consumers who are environmentally aware and utilise re-usable carrier bags not penalise them?"

(IT)