Charity welcomes charges for plastic bags
RSPB Scotland has welcomed the Scottish Parliament’s approval of new regulations that will introduce a compulsory charge for single-use carrier bags.
The 5p charge, applying to all retailers from October this year, aims to cut the use of single-use carrier bags by 80%.
The charge will apply to most single-use carrier bags excluding some types of bag such as paper bags for prescriptions, and also ‘bags for life’) and is mainly aimed at tackling plastic bag usage.
In Scotland, around 740 million carrier bags were used in 2011 - or around 12 bags per person per month.
A similar charge introduced in Wales in 2011 has led to a massive reduction in the use of plastic bags, and also generated significant funds for good causes.
Scottish regulations will be followed by a similar voluntary agreement between retailers to donate money raised to good causes including schemes to tackle litter prevention.
Alexa Morrison, Conservation Policy Officer at RSPB Scotland said: "RSPB Scotland has been a strong supporter of a carrier bag charge in Scotland, and we are very pleased to see the regulations approved.
"Although carrier bags are only one part of a bigger waste problem, they are a highly visible aspect of the need to tackle plastic waste and can have significant environmental impacts.
"Plastic bags, like other plastic waste, often end up in the marine environment and can harm seabirds, turtles, marine mammals and other wildlife.
"It is encouraging to see Scotland take this step forward in tackling waste issues and moving towards a more sustainable society."
