Call for rest of UK to charge for carrier bags

Twelve months ago Wales became the first of the four home nations to implement such a scheme which requires shoppers to bring their own plastic bags or face a minimum 5p charge – with proceeds going to charity.

Northern Ireland is set to bring in a similar levy next year, while Scotland and England’s governments are yet to make up their minds.

John Griffiths believes both should follow Wales’s lead after the charge has reduced single-use carrier bags by up to 96 per cent.

He said: “The Welsh experience proves if you want to effectively reduce carrier bag use, a charge really is the best way to go.”

The British Retail Consortium voiced mixed feelings about the charge and stressed a consistent approach would be needed if the scheme was rolled out in the UK.

Spokesman Richard Dodd said: “Compulsory charging for single use plastic bags is a brutal approach, which risks switching people off from engaging with environmental issues. A voluntary and incentivised scheme would be far better – for example people who bring in their own bags are rewarded through coupons or a points scheme.