As well as earning millions from the levy of around 10p a bag, the number of bags issued by the 3000 retailers involved in the scheme has fallen by 90%. “The reduction has been immediate and the positive visual impact on the environment is plain to see,” adds Cullen. Before the levy, Ireland was estimated to be using over a billion plastic bags a year.
Earlier this year Environment Minister Michael Meacher told the Guardian he was in favour of introducing a similar scheme in Britain, where eight billion bags are issued each year (see related story).
© Faversham House Ltd 2023 edie news articles may be copied or forwarded for individual use only. No other reproduction or distribution is permitted without prior written consent.
Please login or Register to leave a comment.