By Vivienne Russell | 8 April 2013
A 5p carrier bag tax comes into effect in Northern Ireland today.
It is hoped the Single Use Carrier Bag Levy will cut down on the 250 million carrier bags used in Northern Ireland each year.
The levy will not be restricted to plastic bags, but will also apply to paper, starch and other natural materials. However, it will not apply to those specifically manufactured for re-use, bags used for hot takeaway food and drinks, bags for small items such as sweets or greeting cards, bags for prescription items and bags containing uncooked meat or fish.
Environment minister Alex Attwood said the government was hoping for a reduction of at least 80%. ‘Some retailers have already indicated that they will be eliminating single use bags altogether,’ he said.
‘There is already a high awareness among people here of charging for bags, not least because that is our experience travelling to the Republic [of Ireland]. I believe we can quickly adjust to the levy. People tell me they are concerned about climate change and want to fund ways to make personal, family and local contributions to addressing the threat. The levy is precisely this.’
Attwood added that people could avoid the levy altogether by bringing their own bags when out shopping.
Proceeds from the levy will be passed onto Northern Ireland’s Department of the Environment each quarter and the funds used to back environment-focused community projects.