Carrier bag charges backed
29 May 2014 02:42 PM
Landmark legislation to tackle throwaway
culture.
The introduction
of carrier bag charges in Scotland has cleared its final parliamentary
hurdle.
The Scottish
Parliament has approved the Single Use Carrier Bags Charge (Scotland)
Regulations 2014, meaning the 5 pence minimum charge will commence on October
20 this year. Scotland currently uses 750 million bags every year – the
highest number in the UK. The purpose of the charge is to encourage shoppers to
think about reusing bags to prevent litter and improve Scotland’s
environment.
A public
consultation revealed overwhelming support for the charge, which will see funds
generated being donated to good causes.
Welcoming the
decision, Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead said:
“I am
delighted that the Scottish Government’s regulations on carrier bag
charging have been approved by Parliament. This is landmark legislation that
underlines Scotland is serious about tackling litter, reducing waste and
creating a cleaner, greener environment for everyone to enjoy.
“The vast
number of single use carrier bags given out in Scotland is symbolic of our
throwaway society. By requiring retailers to charge at least 5p per bag we want
shoppers to stop and think about what we discard. Instead of taking another bag
that could end up as litter, we want people to re-use their bags or consider
alternatives like bags for life.
“This charge
is not a tax but will see retailers donating the proceeds to charity and has
the potential to raise millions of pounds for good causes, including
environmental projects. The Scottish Government and delivery body Zero Waste
Scotland have been working closely with retailers at all stages of the process
and will continue to do so in the run up to October 20 and beyond.
“The level
of support from the Scottish public is extremely heartening and I hope we can
repeat the real success achieved in other counties, where similar measures have
been brought in. I urge everyone to get behind it.”
Ian Gulland,
Director, Zero Waste Scotland said:
“Zero Waste
Scotland welcomes the Scottish Parliament’s approval for a single use
carrier bag charge in Scotland. This is a hugely positive step which will help
to reduce the number of bags in use and therefore the number ending up as
litter in our communities.
“We are
working with all types of retailers affected by the charge, in all parts of
Scotland, to help them understand how the charge will work and what the impact
will be for their business. I encourage them to get in touch.”
Notes To
Editors
To view the Single
Use Carrier Bags Charge (Scotland) Regulations 2014http://www.legislation.gov.uk/sdsi/2014/9780111023211
For more details on the consultation, which recorded 94% support for the
chargeshttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2013/06/9713/6
A Scottish
Government marketing campaign highlighting the introduction of the charges and
reminding members of the public to re-use bags wherever possible will commence
on 25 September and run for five weeks.
Zero Waste
Scotland is working with retailers to help them understand the new carrier bag
charge. For more information about how the charge will work, retailers can
visithttp://www.carrierbagchargescotland.org.uk/