WIREDGOV

The law, which will come into force from 1 October next year, will see Welsh shoppers paying 5p per single use carrier bag.

Wales is the first country in the UK to introduce a charge as part of its efforts to dramatically reduce the volume of carrier bags given out to shoppers.

Speaking about the high profile Welsh policy, Environment Minister Jane Davidson said:

“Today is a great day for Wales and for our environment and I am delighted that  our carrier bag charge will now become law.

“The charge has cross party support and has always been popular with the public and I am certain that it will help us to significantly reduce the number of carrier bags given out in Wales.

“And there is no doubt in my mind that such a reduction is needed. Last year in Wales we took home on average 273 carrier bags per household from the major supermarkets alone. Add to this the number of bags we pick up when shopping on the high street or at a smaller stores and you are left with an even higher figure.

“Most of these bags are completely unnecessary. They end up cluttering up our cupboards, littering our country or rotting in landfill where they release harmful greenhouse gasses into the environment.

“Whilst I know that reducing our use of single use carrier bags is not going to solve all our environmental problems the charge delivers an important message about the need for us to live much more sustainable lives.”  

The level of the carrier bag charge has been set at 5p because the Assembly Government believes this is high enough to encourage people to change their shopping habits but not so high that it will deter impulse shopping or place a significant burden on shoppers who have forgotten their reusable bags.

The introduction of the charge has been delayed until October in order to accommodate the needs of businesses and allow for a smoother and more successful introduction.

The Minister added:

“The idea of the charge is not to make people pay for carrier bags. Rather it is to encourage shoppers to make use of the bags they already have.

“No one has to pay the charge; it can be simply avoided if we remember to carry reusable bags when we do our shopping.”