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UK plastic bag charging row erupts again

UK plastic bag charging row erupts again

By Helen Gilbert

Fears mandatory bag charging will be introduced despite industryprogress.30 July 2008 - An industry expert has warned the Government to stopinterfering around the issue of charging for plastics bagsfollowing media reports that customers will have to pay a bag taxwithin months.The comments by David Tyson, chief executive of the Packaging andFilms Association, follow a report published by The Telegraph yesterday, which revealed that customers could pay up to 10p a bagunder new legislation.In 2007, retailers voluntarily committed themselves to reduce theenvironmental impact of carrier bag use by 25% by the end of 2008.But The Telegraph quoted environment minister Joan Ruddock as saying: “We hopethere will be a voluntary agreement but the Waste Bill is likely toreceive Royal Assent in the autumn, which will include mandatorycharging for plastic bags.”Tyson told PRW: “There’s no proof that the use of carrier bags willdramatically reduce if they are charged for. The Governmentdoesn’t seem to want to listen. It’s more about beingperceived to be doing the right thing. “What is disappointing is despite the fact that when GordonBrown took over as Prime Minister, he made the statement it wasgoing to be a government without spin. It’s been almost theopposite.”A spokeswoman for the Department for Environment, Food and RuralAffairs (Defra) said the Government hoped plastic bag reductioncould be achieved on a voluntary basis. However, she added initiatives in Ireland and Marks andSpencer’s five pence bag charge (PRW.com 28 July) had proved successful in slashing single use bag numbers.She added: “We have asked retailers to tell us what theythink.”