Plastic Bag Charge Update

Businesses with fewer than 250 employees and biodegradable bags were planned to be exempt from the law, scheduled to be put into place in England in 2015.

The group of MPs described the plans as overly complex and called for the plan to be adapted in line with the law put into place in Wales in 2011, whereby there was a blanket charge of 5p for all plastic bags and there has been a 75 per cent reduction in plastic bag usage.

The ACS (Association of Convenience Stores) has supported this request, and called for small businesses to included in the new law, stating that the money raised from the sale of plastic bags can be put towards local causes.

Shane Brennan, ACS public affairs director said, “Retailers in Wales are already seeing the benefit of the carrier bag levy that has been in place there since 2011. Not only have they been able to save money, but it’s also a positive way of having a greater part to play in the community.

“We have also heard from English retailers charging on a voluntary basis, who have succeeded to strengthen ties with their communities in donating proceeds from their carrier bag charge to local schools and charities. ACS is keen to show the Committee’s MPs that there is a strong appetite among local shops to charge for plastic bags.

“However, we are strongly recommending that smaller businesses should be excluded from having to report back to Government to avoid unnecessary regulatory burdens.”