WIREDGOV

Ms Davidson announced the latest move in her bid to end the use of single-use bags after a visit to a leading packaging firm based in Newport, which has designed a green alternative to the bags. Officials will be undertaking the necessary work for possible regulation under the provisions of the Climate Change Act.

The Minister said:

I have always stated that I do not support the use of one-trip plastic bags.

They are not usually bio-degradable and represent a waste of resources. Customers have come to expect free plastic bags at checkouts, but the tide appears to be turning as shoppers look for more environmentally-friendly options.

I have asked my department to develop legislation to end the use of single use carrier bags. Currently there is a voluntary agreement where certain retailers have agreed to reduce the number of single use carrier bags by 50% by May this year – this is a good target.

But this does not cover all retailers and still leaves 50% using one trip plastic bags. I recognise we need to give the retail sector a chance to demonstrate what they can do voluntarily, but I am willing to use all the powers at our disposal.

An estimated 490 million plastic bags are used in Wales each year. It takes between 450 and 1,000 years for these bags to degrade.

Ms Davidson made her comments after visiting SACA Packaging in Newport to see their T-Box, a recyclable box system designed to be used in supermarkets instead of carrier bags. The Welsh Assembly Government provided guidance and financial support in the early development stages of the product.

The Minister also revealed that she met Irish Environment Minister John Gormley in Dublin over the weekend to discuss the charge the Irish Republic introduced in March 2002. The Irish Government have estimated that the move resulted in a 90% fall in the use of plastic bags. Much of this fall occurred overnight.

Related Links

http://wales.gov.uk/topics/environmentcountryside/?lang=en