NI Shoppers Hit With 5p Plastic Bag Levy

A compulsory 5p charge has been imposed on the sale of all plastic shopping bags in Northern Ireland, in an attempt to stem their widespread usage.

The 5p minimum tax per single-use carrier will improve the region's green credentials and help reduce pollution, environment minister Alex Attwood said.

Northern Ireland is the second part of the UK to impose the measure after Wales and follows the example of the Republic of Ireland a decade ago.

Money raised will fund voluntary and community groups working on sustainability projects but small businesses have expressed concern about red tape.

Mr Attwood said: "As environment minister I want us to implement bold challenging new laws to enhance our clean and green credentials. The levy will help to do that."

He said people in Northern Ireland use some 250 million carrier bags a year - almost 30,000 every hour. It amounts to around 140 per person annually.

The tax will apply to all single use bags, including plastic, paper and other natural materials, but there will exemptions for takeaway hot food and drinks, prescriptions, unpackaged food and uncooked meat to protect safety and hygiene.

Plastic bag usage has become a hot issue for many nations

The Stormont minister is considering using the money to help communities and businesses improve the environment and increase recycling in Northern Ireland.

"This levy is intended to help protect the environment by dramatically cutting the number of bags used," Mr Attwood said.

"Working with the retail sector we are aiming for a reduction of at least 80% - some retailers have already indicated that they will be eliminating single-use bags altogether."

However, the Northern Ireland Independent Retail Trade Association (NIIRTA) has expressed major concerns over the levy.

Chief executive Glyn Roberts said: "NIIRTA shares minister Attwood's objective of reducing the amount of carrier bags in circulation and that end up in landfill sites.

"NIIRTA is concerned that the collecting and administration of the levy may pose a real burden on our members and we will be closely monitoring this over the next few months."

Westminster has been urged by a backbencher to follow the example of Wales and Ireland and charge for the use of plastic bags in England.

However, some MPs believe a voluntary effort to cut waste would be more effective.

The Scottish Government has consulted on the issue.

Anda sedang membaca artikel tentang

NI Shoppers Hit With 5p Plastic Bag Levy

Dengan url

http://clotehancamar.blogspot.com/2013/04/ni-shoppers-hit-with-5p-plastic-bag-levy.html

Anda boleh menyebar luaskannya atau mengcopy paste-nya

NI Shoppers Hit With 5p Plastic Bag Levy

namun jangan lupa untuk meletakkan link

NI Shoppers Hit With 5p Plastic Bag Levy

sebagai sumbernya