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Last Tuesday I had a post on how well we had done in reducing the number of plastic bags used and how the government were complaining that we had missed their 'target' by 2%.I finished by asking:-
"Or could it be that the government wanted us to miss it so that they could bring in yet another BAN?"
Well, in todays news it is now all coming out into the open. It wasn't a ban they were looking for, they are wanting to charge us 15p each for the things.
"Wales is to become the first part of Britain to ban free carrier bags after deciding that efforts by supermarkets to cut waste have proved ineffective."
A 48% reduction is ineffective?
"All shops, market stalls and takeaways in Wales will be obliged from the end of next year to charge up to 15p each for plastic or paper bags."
Paper Bags?...I thought paper was eco-friendly?
"Wales is planning to use a little-known clause in last year’s Climate Change Act, which enables devolved governments to outlaw free bags."
Little-known clause.....why keep it secret?
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said: “All options are on the table, but we don’t think [charging] is right at this stage, particularly in the economic climate.”
At this stage.
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And 15p each!!......the supermarkets can probably buy a thousand bags for 15p!
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So are the supermarkets paying a tax to the government for each bag sold?
ReplyDeleteYes, Cherie, a good question.
ReplyDeleteI really don't know!
It would have to be some sort of extra 'duty' like they slap on fuel and alcohol. It is very difficult to dictate to shops what they charge.
Toronto has just started a mandatory 5¢ surcharge on all plastic bags, and several other cities/stores have started a "voluntary" surcharge of 5¢ (a far cry from your 15p!) I find I am taking bags from the stores that don't charge, whether I need one or not, so that I have a stockpile for reusing (garbage, etc). There are so many other ways to reduce plastic.
ReplyDeleteHi V-S,
ReplyDeleteSorry I missed this comment down here. I have yet to find out how to get new comments flagged up.
I do a similar thing here. I take only one bag of mine and if it wont fit, I get given a few free ones for bin-liners.