Menu
28/06/2013
Scotland To Introduce Plastic Bag Charge
Scotland is to introduce a plastic bag charge for shoppers by 2014.
Retailers will have to charge a minimum of 5p per bag, as part of a move to reduce carrier bag use.
The move would bring Scotland in line with Northern Ireland, which already has a similar scheme in place.
Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead announced the move today.
He said shoppers would be encouraged to reuse carrier bags to cut down on the 750m bags used in Scotland each year.
Regulations will be introduced in the Scottish Parliament in time for businesses to start charging by October 2014.
Richard Lochhead said: "Discarded carrier bags highlight our throwaway society. We use more carrier bags per head in Scotland than any other part of the UK and this is unsustainable.
"Carrier bags are a highly visible aspect of litter and we are taking decisive action to decrease their number. By reducing the amount being carelessly discarded we can cut litter and its impact on our environment and economy. A small charge should also encourage us all to stop and think about what we discard and what can be re-used.
"We have seen elsewhere that carrier bag charging has been effective in encouraging people to reuse bags. This charge is not a tax but will see retailers donating the proceeds to charity - this could be up to £5m per year after retailers have covered their costs.
"Thousands of Scottish people already use bags for life and some retailers already charge. It is now time, however, for a national effort."
Iain Gulland, Director, Zero Waste Scotland, said: "Zero Waste Scotland supports initiatives that tackle litter and help achieve a zero waste society, so we welcome the Scottish Government’s decision to implement a levy on single use bags.
"We can all reduce the impact of carrier bags by making sure that when we must take one, we re-use it over and over again as many times as possible and then recycle it at the end of its life.
"Encouraging the reuse of carrier bags will complement wider action to tackle litter, which will be published later this summer. Moves to cut litter on land, in the sea and river systems will be set out as strategies for consultation."
As in Northern Ireland, some types of bags will be exempt, mainly for health and safety reasons and privacy such as bags for prescriptions, certain fresh foods and unpackaged blades.
(IT/CD)
Retailers will have to charge a minimum of 5p per bag, as part of a move to reduce carrier bag use.
The move would bring Scotland in line with Northern Ireland, which already has a similar scheme in place.
Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead announced the move today.
He said shoppers would be encouraged to reuse carrier bags to cut down on the 750m bags used in Scotland each year.
Regulations will be introduced in the Scottish Parliament in time for businesses to start charging by October 2014.
Richard Lochhead said: "Discarded carrier bags highlight our throwaway society. We use more carrier bags per head in Scotland than any other part of the UK and this is unsustainable.
"Carrier bags are a highly visible aspect of litter and we are taking decisive action to decrease their number. By reducing the amount being carelessly discarded we can cut litter and its impact on our environment and economy. A small charge should also encourage us all to stop and think about what we discard and what can be re-used.
"We have seen elsewhere that carrier bag charging has been effective in encouraging people to reuse bags. This charge is not a tax but will see retailers donating the proceeds to charity - this could be up to £5m per year after retailers have covered their costs.
"Thousands of Scottish people already use bags for life and some retailers already charge. It is now time, however, for a national effort."
Iain Gulland, Director, Zero Waste Scotland, said: "Zero Waste Scotland supports initiatives that tackle litter and help achieve a zero waste society, so we welcome the Scottish Government’s decision to implement a levy on single use bags.
"We can all reduce the impact of carrier bags by making sure that when we must take one, we re-use it over and over again as many times as possible and then recycle it at the end of its life.
"Encouraging the reuse of carrier bags will complement wider action to tackle litter, which will be published later this summer. Moves to cut litter on land, in the sea and river systems will be set out as strategies for consultation."
As in Northern Ireland, some types of bags will be exempt, mainly for health and safety reasons and privacy such as bags for prescriptions, certain fresh foods and unpackaged blades.
(IT/CD)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
14 October 2015
Shopping Basket Thefts Rise After Carrier Bag Levy
A Tesco store in Oldham has fitted its shopping baskets with security tags after a sudden rise in thefts following the introduction of the carrier bag charge. It is understood that a third of the stores baskets were stolen in the week since the new charge was brought in on 04 October, according to a report by the BBC.
Shopping Basket Thefts Rise After Carrier Bag Levy
A Tesco store in Oldham has fitted its shopping baskets with security tags after a sudden rise in thefts following the introduction of the carrier bag charge. It is understood that a third of the stores baskets were stolen in the week since the new charge was brought in on 04 October, according to a report by the BBC.
06 February 2014
Plastic Bag Charge A 'Complete Mess'
Government plans for a 5p charge on plastic carrier bags in England are a "complete mess", according to a group of MPs. Last September, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg announced plans for a single use plastic bag charge in England.
Plastic Bag Charge A 'Complete Mess'
Government plans for a 5p charge on plastic carrier bags in England are a "complete mess", according to a group of MPs. Last September, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg announced plans for a single use plastic bag charge in England.
14 February 2011
Man Murdered In Sydenham
Police have launched a murder inquiry following the death of a man in Sydenham. Samuel Guidera, 24, was found on Saturday collapsed in the street at Bailey Place, junction with Newlands Park, in south east London. He was taken by London Ambulance Service to a south London hospital suffering from a stab wound. He was later pronounced dead.
Man Murdered In Sydenham
Police have launched a murder inquiry following the death of a man in Sydenham. Samuel Guidera, 24, was found on Saturday collapsed in the street at Bailey Place, junction with Newlands Park, in south east London. He was taken by London Ambulance Service to a south London hospital suffering from a stab wound. He was later pronounced dead.
21 September 2012
Poll Shows Support For 5p Carrier Bag Charge
A new poll has suggested that a majority of people think a 5p charge on single-use carrier bags should be introduced in England to cut litter and waste. The poll of 1,752 English adults found that 56% agreed a 5p carrier bag charge was not unreasonable even in a time of austerity, as it had been proved to reduce litter and waste.
Poll Shows Support For 5p Carrier Bag Charge
A new poll has suggested that a majority of people think a 5p charge on single-use carrier bags should be introduced in England to cut litter and waste. The poll of 1,752 English adults found that 56% agreed a 5p carrier bag charge was not unreasonable even in a time of austerity, as it had been proved to reduce litter and waste.
08 June 2004
Thief returns £100,000 in missing cash to bank
London police are trying to track down a thief who stole £115,000 from a cash machine, only to return most of the cash within a week. The cash was stolen from a cash machine located in a bank at Barkingside High Street in east London between May 21 and May 22 this year.
Thief returns £100,000 in missing cash to bank
London police are trying to track down a thief who stole £115,000 from a cash machine, only to return most of the cash within a week. The cash was stolen from a cash machine located in a bank at Barkingside High Street in east London between May 21 and May 22 this year.
-
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.
