Scottish shoppers will be charged a minimum of 5p per carrier bag by 2014 in a bid to reduce carrier bag use.
Scottish Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead announced the move on Friday 28 June, following a consultation held last year to gauge public opinion. Scotland's move follows Wales, who introduced the charge in 2011.
The new legislation will be introduced in the Scottish parliament in time for the businesses to start charging in-store by October 2014.
"We use more carrier bags per head in Scotland than any other part of the UK and this is unsustainable. Carrier bags are a highly visible aspect of litter and we are taking decisive action to decrease their number. By reducing the amount being carelessly discarded we can cut litter and its impact on our environment and economy," Lochhead said.
He continued, “We have seen elsewhere that carrier bag charging has been effective in encouraging people to reuse bags. This charge is not a tax but will see retailers donating the proceeds to charity – this could be up to £5 million per year after retailers have covered their costs."
“Thousands of Scottish people already use bags for life and some retailers already charge. It is now time, however, for a national effort.” (1 July)
© 2013 - ESM: European Supermarket Magazine by Ellen Lunney
