Welsh assembly plans new charge in bag war

Welsh Assembly environment minister Jane Davidson: “I am an evidence-based minister and this report backs up my view.”

Environmental consultancy AEA Technology was appointed by the Welsh Assembly Government in March 2009 to carry out a study into the policy to help inform the consultation process.

The study investigated the environmental impacts of the different types of bag available and the impact on business and consumers from introducing a charge. It also reviewed what other countries around the world are doing to reduce single carrier bag use.

Key findings include:

• The Republic of Ireland achieved a significant reduction in both plastic bag usage and littering when it introduced a charge in 2001.

• A substantial reduction has been achieved in the UK by retailers (Ikea and Marks & Spencer) who have already introduced a charge of single use carrier bags in their stores.

• Netto, Lidl, Aldi all charge for bags with other companies currently considering changes and undertaking various trials. This includes Debenhams, Bodyshop, Help the Aged and Oxfam.

• The littering impacts of plastic bags affect local environment, wildlife and sea-life.

• HDPE degradable bags which have chemical additives added to make them degrade quicker, but conditions in landfill or elsewhere might not be conducive to reliable degradation.

• LDPE bags are waterproof, more robust and can be used many times over and known as the reusable bag or bag for life.

• The need to source bags made from natural materials which can be reused many times from accredited manufacturers.

Welcoming the report, Environment Minister Jane Davidson said: “I have always said I am an evidence-based minister and this report backs up my view that introducing a charge on single-use carrier bags is the only way to further reduce the amount of single use carrier bags we use in Wales whilst also encouraging people to re-use bags.

“In simple terms, the evidence shows introducing a charge works. Just look at what some retailers in the UK are already doing. Ikea and Marks & Spencer already have a charge for bags and they have seen reductions of between 80% and 90%. Stores such as Netto, Lidl, and Aldi have always charged for bags.

“As this report shows, we are behind the curve on this issue. In countries as diverse as China, Japan through to Finland, Iceland and Italy some form of charge is the norm.”

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