WIREDGOV

Wales is leading the way with its carrier bag charge, which came into force on Saturday 1 October.  As a result of the charge shoppers across Wales are now paying 5p for every new single use carrier bag.  

Speaking about the introduction of the charge, the Minister said:

“I am delighted that people across Wales have adapted so well to the introduction of the bag charge.

“Anecdotal evidence from major retailers suggests that the charge has already dramatically reduced bag use in Wales, and that more and more shoppers are using their own bags for shopping. This is exactly the outcome we want.

“Retailers, both large and small, have played a massive part in making the charge a success so far and I would like to thank them for the ongoing work in ensuring the charge works and that their customers understand it."

The carrier bag charge applies to single use plastic bags, paper bags and bags for unpackaged fast food, and covers all types of shopping including food, clothes and household goods.

The charge is aimed at dramatically reducing bag use in Wales in order to reduce litter and waste, and to encourage people living in Wales and visiting Wales to live more sustainable lives.

The Minister said that there had been a few minor teething problems, and that there had been a small number of complaints about retailers that were not applying the bag charge.

It was appreciated that the majority of these were honest mistakes and this was exactly why the Welsh Government had agreed a three month bedding in period so that everyone could get used to the charge.

However the Minister did stress that any retailers who were persistently and deliberately failing to apply the charge would be penalised.

There had also been a small number of complaints about the fact that the law applied to paper bags and to bags for packaged fast food.

The Minister said:

“We have always been clear that paper bags are damaging to the environment because they break easily, often cannot be reused and, just like plastic bags are an unnecessary use of resource.

“We don’t want to see anyone having to pay the charge and I would remind shoppers that they can avoid paying by remembering to take their own bags with them when they go shopping."

The Welsh Government estimates that the charge will reduce bag use in Wales by up to 90%.  The first figures on carrier bag use following the introduction of the charge are expected in May 2012.

Related Links

New figures prove that Wales’ carrier bag charge is the way to go
Minister works with small retailers on Wales’ carrier bag charge