Lib Dems lobby for levy on plastic bags

1.16.00pm UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 16th Jan 2008

Welsh Liberal Democrats will today test the Labour-Plaid commitment to the Environment as they call for a levy on plastic carrier bags to be introduced in Wales, with revenue from the levy to be used for environmental enhancement.

Mick Bates AM, spokesperson for the Environment comments:

"Plastic bags are a good example of an unneeded waste. Britain uses nearly 17bn bags a year which is an astounding figure - clearly we need to move away from this plastic based society and look at more sustainable options for the future.

"A levy on plastic bags is one good option for reducing the number of plastic carriers used - London wants it, Ireland's done it, Scotland ducked it but Wales can do it."

In 2002 a levy was introduced in Ireland where each plastic bag is subject to a 22% charge at the point of sale. The approach has seen a 94% decrease in the number of bags distributed with more than a billion plastic bags removed from circulation in the first year of operation.

A MORI poll in 2003 revealed that only 15% of people in Wales would oppose a 10p levy on plastic bags; 81% were supportive of a levy.

"Plastic bags comprise 2.7% by weight of litter in Wales and this does not include the hidden costs to the environment" added Mick.

"We need to tackle the causes of waste from the very onset in order to minimise waste from the very start. A levy on plastic bags would encourage people to recycle their carrier bags or find alternatives in order to avoid paying the levy, thereby reducing the number of bags that would need to be produced each year.

"Plastic bags take hundreds of years to break down in the environment. They are a danger to wildlife, particularly marine animals. They also block drains, leading to an increased risk of flooding. A levy would have a positive effect on the environment, reducing the number of plastic bags that litter our landscape.

"A plastic bag levy would also increase public awareness of litter and environmental issues generally - this type of solution touches the heart of the issue as we need to encourage behavioural change if we are to see real progress towards our recycling targets.

"Financial incentives are a good way to drive public support. There is a current consensus on climate change and we need to take advantage of this and take action now. Wales is ready to meet these challenges it faces but we need the policies there to support it."