End of free carrier bags in Scotland is step closer

Charging for plastic bags in supermarkets is to be introduced in Scotland in an effort to end their “environmental scourge”.

About 600 million carrier bags are used in Scotland a year, but the SNP pledged to phase out their free use in supermarkets in the run up to the last election.

Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead launched a consultation yesterday and admitted new laws are under consideration, amid concern that usage is on the rise again after the initial success of voluntary measures.

The move has been welcomed by environmental groups, but business leaders have voiced concerns about the economic impact.

Mr Lochhead said: “Plastic bags are a scourge on the environment and a blight on our streets, our countryside and our seas – that’s why we are so determined to drastically cut back on their use.

“It’s hugely encouraging that so many people are now taking this issue seriously, and over the past five years we have seen a lot of progress in cutting plastic bag use, both by shops and shoppers.

“We want to phase out the use of free plastic bags in supermarkets, with the continued help of retailers.”

Marks & Spencer charges 5p for plastic bags, while Aldi and Lidl also charge. But Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Asda and Morrisons do not currently charge.

Former Liberal Democrat MSP Mike Pringle tried to introduce a 10p charge on carrier bags in 2006. But his Private Members’ Bill at Holyrood, and a subsequent move to revive it, was not backed by MSPs.

The latest consultation will take place later in the year and look at options for cutting plastic bag use even further, including the prospect of legislation .

But CBI Scotland’s assistant director, David Lonsdale questioned the need for the measure at a difficult time for business. “Retail businesses are already doing a lot to improve their environmental performance and have delivered very significant reductions in the use of plastic bags,” he said.

“Any potential new environmental taxes such as on plastic bags could prove unnecessary and a costly administrative headache for firms, at what is a particularly challenging time for the retail sector.”

A tax on plastic shopping bags in the Republic of Ireland introduced in 2002 cut their use by more than 90 per cent and raised millions of euros.

Dr Dan Barlow, Head of policy at WWF Scotland, backed a levy. “Single-use carrier bags are symbolic of our wasteful attitude to resource use which must be addressed if Scotland’s vision of a zero waste future is to be realised,” he said.

“Each year in Scotland nearly 600 million carrier bags are used, squandering non-renewable resources, polluting our environment, threatening wildlife and taking decades to break down.”