Listen
Calls to end 'plastic bag culture'
28/02/2008
Scots were today urged to help end the country's 'plastic bag culture'.
At a meeting of 21 of the UK's leading retailers hosted by WRAP (Waste and Resources Action Programme) on plastic bag use in the UK, it was reported that over 12.4 billion plastic bags were used in 2007. That equates to over one billion bags in Scotland.
The figures also show:
- A reduction of almost eight per cent in the number of plastic bags used in the UK between 2006 and 2007
- Over 14 per cent reduction in new plastic used
Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment Richard Lochhead said this means there is still a long way to go for UK retailers to deliver the UK target of reducing the overall impact of carrier bags by 25 per cent by the end of 2008.
Mr Lochhead said:
"Reducing the unnecessary use of plastic bags is crucial if we are going to achieve a zero waste society in Scotland.
"This survey shows that some progress has been made but more needs to be done. UK retailers need to do much more to reduce the use and impact of plastic bags.
"We welcome any action by retailers to reduce waste from plastic bags. Charging for bags and giving a reward to customers when they return bags are two ways of doing this.
"I will be writing to Scottish retailers to ask precisely what action they are taking to deliver the target of a 25 per cent reduction in the impact of carrier bags by the end of this year.
"There is also a key role for consumers to play as well. One of the 10 Greener Pledges we launched in January is to reuse carrier bags.
"We must all reuse and recycle bags as much as possible and whenever we're at the checkout ask ourselves the question - 'do I need a bag?'
"If the voluntary agreement doesn't produce results then we will have to look again at further action, including considering legislation."
A voluntary agreement with UK retailers was agreed under the previous administration.
Based on data from 19 UK retailers 12.4 billion bags were used in the UK in 2007. This is down from 13.4 billion bags in 2006 - a 7.72 percent drop, once rounding is taken into account.
The virgin polymer used was 93,000 tonnes in 2007 down from 108,000 tonnes in 2006 - a 14.3 percent drop, once rounding is taken into account.