Following the successful introduction in Wales and Northern Ireland of a 5p charge per carrier bag, Scotland is introducing the same measure from today, Monday 20th October 2014.
The Marine Conservation Society [MCS] has welcomed the move, seeing it as a lifeline for marine animals around the coasts of Scotland.
The Welsh levy reduced the consumption of single-use carrier bags by up to 80% in its first year. MCS estimate up to 750 million bags could stay unused as people think twice before saying ‘Yes’ to accepting a bag at checkouts.
Dr Laura Foster, MCS Pollution Programme Manager, says she cannot see why the success of charges in Wales and Northern Ireland cannot be repeated with the same success in Scotland: ‘We look forward to seeing the results in Scotland following the great example that has been set in Wales and in Northern Ireland. A 5p charge on all single-use carrier bags – regardless of the material they are made from – is a really encouraging step forward. Millions of bags will now not end up in Scottish waters now, thanks to this decision by Holyrood.’
MCS says the implementation of the charge will reduce harmful litter on our beaches and in our seas, and will prevent many wildlife entanglements and choking deaths.
Dr Foster says: ‘We have strong evidence that turtles and other sea creatures mistake plastic bags for food like jellyfish. They eat them and then die a painful death from choking or stomach blockages. Gulls are regularly seen eating bags looking for the food they once carried; and many other animals are known to consume plastic bags accidentally.’
MCS hopes retailers will donate the charge to environmental organisations that, for many years, have been spending time and money campaigning for a ban on bags and, more importantly, clearing them up from the natural environment.