Liberal Democrat MSP Mike Pringle, who has introduced the Plastic Bag Levy Bill, believes it will be an important measure in helping to cut litter, reduce landfill waste and raise environmental awareness in Scotland.
” By placing a small charge on each bag, the shoppers will only take those that they need. “
– Mike Pringle MSP
If successful, the Bill would see retailers charging shoppers 10 pence for every bag used, with revenue generated going to local authorities. Shoppers would have the charge itemised on their receipts.
Retailers would be given the obligation to register with local authorities and report plastic bag usage to these councils at least once a month. Those that fail in their obligations face court fines and penalties of 100 for every customer not charged a levy for a plastic bag.
Councils
Local authorities would pick up revenue from the levies to help offset the predicted 10,000 costs per council for administrating the scheme. Councils would have to report performance to the Scottish Executive annually.
Speaking at the Scottish Parliament following the launch of the Bill, Mr Pringle said plastic bags cause litter on Scotland's beaches, are a danger to wildlife and end up in landfill sites.
The former Edinburgh city councillor said: “By placing a small charge on each bag, the shoppers will only take those that they need. People will become more aware of the need to re-use bags and we will have a reduction in litter and landfill waste.”
Ireland
Mr Pringle visited Ireland in February 2004 and said this week a levy of an equivalent amount – of 15 cents per bag – has been operating well there.
The Irish system has been in place since March 2002, and has been raising about 13 million euros (about 8.6 million) in levies each year. Among criticisms of the levy, is the fear that cutting down on carrier bag use will only see householders buying more kitchen bin liners to contain their domestic waste.
In Ireland, the bag tax saw sales of bin liners rise by three million bags a year. However, drafters of the Scottish Bill said there had also been a reduction in carrier bag use of 108 million bags a year in Ireland.
Exemptions
The Scottish levy would be imposed on bags made wholly or partly from plastic. Bags exempt from the Bill would include small plastic bags used at retail outlets to contain unpackaged foods, internal supply packaging, “bag for life” bags designed for re-use and bin liners or bags designed for waste disposal.
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Carrier bags sold on board modes of transportation would also be exempt from the levy.
The Plastic Bag Levy Bill could be considered by the Scottish Parliament as early as this autumn, and hopes are it could come into force by early 2007 if successful.
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