Public urged to bag a say on reducing plastic sacks

Options floated include following Ireland's example of a tax on plastic carrier bags, an EU-level ban and boosting biodegradability requirements for packaging.

Ms Johnstone has tabled a motion in the Scottish Parliament welcoming the consultation and praising Edinburgh City Council's initiative in investigating how a reusable bonus bag scheme can be rolled out across the Capital.

She said up to 450 billion plastic bags and sacks were consumed every year in the European Union, contributing to the litter stream, polluting oceans and seriously injuring wildlife.

She said the EC consultation provided an opportunity to find an international solution to this global problem.

The public can respond to the consultation until August 9 by visiting http://ec.europa.eu/environment/consultations/plasticbags_en.htm.