Minister considering bag charge in England

Speaking yesterday (15 May) in a debate in the House of Lords, the minister, responding to a question from Baroness Trumpington, said: There is no question of a ban. What I think noble Lords on all sides are suggesting is a charge, so my noble friend will be able to pay a modest sum for her bag if a charge does eventuate.

On charging for the bags, Lord de Mauley, while emphasising that no decisions had been taken, said: We are actively considering a charge on carrier bags based on the experience in the developed Administrations.

Defra is expected to spend the next four months assessing the options for a charge and may include it in its waste prevention plan which is due to be published by the end of the year. Should it be agreed, it could form one of the main planks of the prevention plan.

Lord de Mauley explained to the Lords that: We are monitoring the charging scheme in Wales, data from the first year of which will not be available until the summer. The Northern Ireland scheme began last month. The Scottish consultation response on the charge is expected in due course. We are considering these schemes and the available evidence carefully so that we can make a fully informed decision on a possible charge for England.

Monitoring

And, detailing some of the information being assessed by Defra he said: We are monitoring the charging scheme in Wales and data from the first year will not be available until the summer. I understand that unintended consequences in the Republic of Ireland included an increase in sales of bin liners because consumers no longer used free carrier bags to line their bins. The production of bin liners has a bigger environmental impact than single-use carrier bags. In addition, following the introduction of the charge in Wales there was an increase in sales of bags for life. As the aim of a charge is to reduce use, it could result in a worse environmental outcome if they are used only once or twice, because they need to be used at least four times to have a lower carbon footprint than single-use carrier bags. We need to consider all the impacts in the round, and we will consider very carefully instituting a charge.

The minister also commented on the recycled content of single-use carrier bags . He was asked by Baroness Butler-Sloss why supermarkets didnt supply recyclable carrier bags, seemingly meaning bags with a recycled content.

Responding, the minister said: At the moment, we have not been able to find a bag that is of sufficient strength to do the job, but it is a very important subject and we are looking at it closely.

Lord de Mauley did not expand on the recycled content point any further, but one option could be, according to observers, that supermarkets giving out bags with a recycled content might not have to charge, or could charge at a lower rate.

Promising that Defras decision making on carrier bags would be carried out expeditiously, he highlighted work by retailers on the carrier bag issue. My Lords, we will get on with this expeditiously. There is a lot of action already. I understand that retailers including Marks & Spencer, WHSmith and Lidl have instituted voluntary charges. Sainsbury, Asda, Tesco, Morrisons, Waitrose and Co-operative Food have put carrier bag recycling facilities at the front of their stores.