Northern Ireland’s 5p (6 euro cents) levy on plastic carrier bags has taken effect as planned – see Plasteurope.com of 07.02.2012. The Northern Ireland Executive (Belfast; www.northernireland.gov.uk) introduced the charge as part of a campaign to reduce plastics waste – see Plasteurope.com of 07.02.2012. The charge will apply to all single-use carrier bags made of plastic, paper or renewable resources such as starch, but not to reusable bags or smaller bags used for medicine or hot food.

The region follows in the footsteps of Wales, which began charging for carrier bags in 2011 – see Plasteurope.com of 09.11.2009. There, the levy is said to have cut handouts dramatically, with some retailers eliminating bags altogether. In the Republic of Ireland, where a charge was introduced in 2002, carrier bag consumption dropped by 90%. Northern Ireland’s Department of the Environment, which will receive the monies, hopes to see an 80% reduction.

Commenting on the launch, British Retail Consortium (BRC, London / UK) head Aodhan Connollysaid that while the organisation believes the tax in Northern Ireland would have an impact, “our line would be that there are bigger environmental fish out there to fry.”

Scotland is also planning a levy on plastic bags, which its government said would be consistent with the system in Wales. Environmentalists are now stepping up the pressure on England, which would be the only part of the UK without a charge for carrier bags. They quote figures reported to show that consumption of plastic bags in England’s retail outlets increased by 7.5% in 2011 against 2010 – see Plasteurope.com of 22.01.2013.