You are here: Home | Legal | Compulsory plastic bag charges by May 2011
Compulsory plastic bag charges by May 2011
Following the announcement that compulsory charges for plastic carrier bags will with introduced in Wales before May 2011, making it the first nation in the UK to introduce charging to curb the use of single trip carrier bags, Michael Grimes, partner at international law firm Eversheds comments:
“The issue of single trip plastic bags is once again making news with proposals for a compulsory charge for their issue in Wales. Retailers across the UK have taken great steps to reduce single use bags but still millions are used. In England the mood seems to be for greater voluntary steps by retailers such as free issue of 'bags for life' initiatives. Efforts must be introduced to raise awareness rather than impose an extra administrative burden on retailers to charge for bags, record the number of bags and account to government all or part of the proceeds. Getting people to want to reuse and recycle is the way forward and whilst in some areas a charge may be necessary, one has to ask if 5 pence is enough to make people want to change their behaviour.”
For further information please contact michaelgrimes@eversheds.com
Should your colleagues be reading the Retail Bulletin? Let them know about us.