Why a government imposed levy on plastic bags could hit your wallet if you don't go green.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown vowed to fight the culture of the single use plastic bag in an article in the Daily Mail last week. “I am convinced we need to act – and the time to act is now. I have already made clear that over time we should aim to eliminate the single-use plastic bag altogether.”
Campaigners say that plastic bags are a huge threat to the environment, taking an estimated 1,000 years to decay. With 13 billion plastic bags given away to British shoppers each year, Brown is keen to highlight the need for a change in the nation’s mindset towards the issue. The average family uses about 800 plastic bags a year and each one gets used for only 20 minutes before being thrown away.
Brown warned that if supermarkets do not take voluntarily action within a year, the government shall implement mandatory measures, “And I want to make clear that if Government compulsion is needed to make the change, we will take the necessary steps. We do not take such steps lightly – but the damage that single-use plastic bags inflict on the environment is such that strong action must be taken.”
If retailers do not take matters into their own hands within the year, a law shall be implemented placing a mandatory fee on all plastic bags. It will be left up to supermarkets to decide how the money raised from the levy will be spent but they will however be compelled to reveal their figures and where it goes.
Brown commended stores that have lead the way in combating the overuse of plastic bags in this country such as Marks and Spencer, who lead the way last week with its announcement of a 5p charge on plastic bags for their food shoppers due to be introduced in May, as well as Ikea who stopped giving out single use plastic bags to their customers in July 2007.
