Jeff Cuthbert AM has urged shoppers in Caerphilly to re-use their carrier bags as new charges kick-in. Most carrier bags are used only once and end up in landfill and charges are being introduced to drastically reduce the number of bags given away.
During 2009-10, in Wales we took home an estimated 350 million carrier bags – or 273 per household – from major supermarkets.
From Saturday October 1st, all retailers will charge 5p per single-use carrier bag. A single-use carrier bag is a bag which is not intended to be re-used and can be made of plastic, paper or plant-based materials such as starch.
Some bags will be exempt from the charges including bags made from fabric, such as hemp and cotton, wicker and heavy duty plastic. Some of the items that the charge will not apply to are; prescription medicine bags, food items that are unwrapped ie loose fruit and vegetables, or partly unwrapped foods like takeaway fries, live aquatic creatures in water, loose seeds and bulbs and packaged uncooked fish or meat.
Jeff Cuthbert AM said: “There is no reason that these charges have to hit the pockets of shoppers. Just remember to bring your own carrier bags to the supermarket and you will not only save yourself money but you will be doing your bit for the environment.
“We all have a role to play in protecting the environment and small lifestyle changes like this can make a big difference to our planet.”
Revenue raised from the sale of single-use bags will not be taken by the government as a tax or revenue raising method. The Welsh Government intends to set out a voluntary code of practice encouraging retailers to donate it to good causes, particularly to environmental causes and charities.
For more information visit: http://www.carrierbagchargewales.gov.uk or call 029 2082 6230.
