The introduction of a 5 pence charge for single-use plastic bags in England has been blamed for a plastic bag manufacturer going into administration. Nelson Packaging (Nelson, Lancashire / UK), which manufactured bags and assorted packaging products, went into administration on 25 February 2016. The appointed administrator, Leonard Curtis (www.leonardcurtis.co.uk), said the plant has now closed and about 40 staff have been made redundant.

Nelson Packaging’s managing director, Michael Flynn, has blamed the government’s 5 pence plastic bag levy and overseas competition for its current predicament, Leonard Curtis said in a statement. The bag charge was introduced in England in October 2015 – see Plasteurope.com of 27.10.2015. Charges have been in place in Wales since October 2011, in Northern Ireland since April 2013 and in Scotland since October 2014.

Nelson Packaging has been in business since 1975, and was acquired by UK packaging group Intelipac (www.intelipac.com) in 2011, Leonard Curtis said.