“No” to carrier bag charge in Northern Ireland
The Northern Ireland Government has dismissed charging for carrier bags, but, has said that they will with retailers and "tackle environmental issues such as food waste and packaging".
Edwin Poots. Environment Minister, has requested that shops and supermarkets reduce the amount of free-issue bags that are given away following a meeting with the British Retail Consortium.
Northern Ireland cut carrier bag use by 38%, (approx 7.6m bags), in the three years to May 2009, but said that more effort was required.
Mr Poots said, "This is great news for the environment and I am encouraged that this has been achieved against a backdrop of a growing volume in supermarket sales", but, for the moment, will not follow the Republic of Ireland example by introducing bag levy, although he will continue to monitor the situation.
"I am keen to build constructive partnerships with our retailers so that, as well as helping to cut plastic bag numbers further, we can work together to tackle other important issues such as food waste and packaging," he added.
