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Proposal 7: Other measures to encourage waste prevention, including action on single-use carrier bags
Proposal
The Scottish Government would also welcome other ideas on legislation which could help to prevent waste.
Background
General points
The Scottish Government is committed to waste prevention. In many cases, work can be carried out in these areas without legislation. In other areas, such as banning certain materials from going to landfill, Ministers already have the power to make the necessary regulations.
However, the Scottish Government would be grateful for any views on areas where taking new powers to prevent waste might be helpful.
There is already debate in this area. There are moves at EU level to do more on Sustainable Consumption and Production: ec.europa.eu/environment/eussd/escp_en.htm
Carrier bags
Carrier bags have been a significant issue in recent years. The United Kingdom Government have now tabled amendments to the UK Climate Change Bill, which would give Ministers the power to require retailers to charge for carrier bags. This is a devolved matter and the Scottish Government has concluded that action in this area is best on a Scottish basis.
The Scottish Government is of the view that significant reductions in single-use carrier bags generally (i.e. all single-use carrier bags and not just bags made from plastic) can be achieved through voluntary measures. The Scottish Government met retailers on 15 May 2008 and it was agreed that a Zero Waste Retailers Group should be set up. This Group will consider various options to cut bag use on a voluntary basis.
However, the Scottish Climate Change Bill gives an opportunity for the Scottish Ministers to take enabling powers so that regulations could be made to reduce the use of single-use carrier bags, if voluntary measures should not succeed.
Questions
Consultees are asked:
1. Do you consider that legislation should be made in this area?
2. If so, which areas should these powers cover?
3. Are there are any other areas, not covered by this consultation, where legislation could be made to increase recycling and promote waste prevention?
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