Recommendations
6. Although
there is evidence that higher charges can achieve greater impact,
a charge set at 5p has been shown to be highly effective in Wales
in substantially reducing use. Evidence from Ireland suggests
that increasing the size of the charge, or having a credible threat
to do so, is important for sustaining changed behaviours. The
Government should implement a 5p charge for all single-use carrier
bags, following the example of the scheme in Wales, but should
review the level of the charge after two years to assess if an
increase is necessary. (Paragraph 23)
7. Paper
bags can have a greater emissions impact than plastic bags. Exempting
paper bags from the charge, as the Government proposes, would
weaken the message to reuse bags, diminish the impact of the charge
and the likely reduction in the number of bags used and associated
environmental benefits. The Government should therefore include
paper bags in the charge. (Paragraph 27)
8. With
the introduction of a charging scheme for single-use bags, the
Government should be ready to introduce legislation to ensure
that retailers sell 'bags for life' at an appropriate higher price
than the charge for single-use bags, taking into account their
greater emissions impact. The Government should set a minimum
price for bags for life at a level which incentivises their reuse;
perhaps a minimum of 10p for a thin and 20p for a thick bag for
life that could subsequently be replaced for free if it breaks.
The Government should ensure any additional proceeds of these
charges also go to charity, with retailers allowed to recover
the cost of such replacements. (Paragraph 36)
9. The
Government's proposed exemption for small retailers is unnecessary,
and risks adding undue complexity to the scheme, reducing its
environmental impact and reduction in bag use. There is compelling
evidence that small retailers want to be included in the mandatory
scheme as a voluntary approach could be counter-productive. The
Government should include small retailers in the scheme, but exempt
those with 10 employees or fewer from detailed reporting requirements.
As in Wales, all shops should be required to publicise in-store
the proceeds and where the money raised is spent. (Paragraph 40)
10. Whilst
we support the use of funds for good causes, such as environmental
charities, we are concerned about potential abuse of the scheme.
The Government should set clear rules for transparent reporting
and for retailers to publicise prominently in store where the
funds are going. It should ensure tough sanctions exist to prevent
retailers having a conflict of interest about which charities
are supported and ideally shoppers should decide which local charity
the funds go to, as already happens in some stores. If there is
evidence of retailers abusing this approach, the Government should
follow the example of the landfill tax and plastic bag tax in
the Republic of Ireland by centrally collecting and allocating
funds for environmental projects. (Paragraph 43)
11. Under
current proposals the Treasury intends to take VAT from the proceeds
from the bag charge (just under 1p of the 5p), which would otherwise
go to charity. The estimated £19 million raised in VAT should
be spent on new environmental programmes and to cover the costs
of monitoring the effectiveness of the scheme. This would help
reinforce the wider environmental objectives of the charge and
maintain public support. (Paragraph 45)
12. More
research is needed into how people respond to the charge including
the impact on littering and recycling. The Government should ensure
that retailers collect and submit data on bag reuse, and monitor
how the charge affects wider behaviours to ensure the scheme has
as significant an environmental impact as possible. (Paragraph
49)
13. The
Government should remove the proposed exemption for biodegradable
bags. It presents risks to recyclers and might cause as much harm
to the natural environment and wildlife as new or recycled bags.
(Paragraph 64)
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