Tag Archives: Plastic Bags

What’s in Gove’s plastic bag of tricks?

What’s in Gove’s plastic bag of tricks?
The new environment secretary’s praise for the carrier bag tax suggests that a previously regulation-shy government could get tough on waste. By David Burrows. What a difference 5p makes. New DEFRA figures show that seven of the UK’s largest food retailers have issued 83% fewer plastic bags since a tax was introduced in October 2015.…
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“Fantastic” bag tax results put cups in spotlight

“Fantastic” bag tax results put cups in spotlight
England is using six billion fewer single use plastic bags since the introduction of a 5p charge. Data published by Defra over the weekend shows that over 7 billion carrier bags were issued by seven main retailers in 2014. But in the six months since the levy was introduced (in October 2015) consumption has fallen…
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Numbers you need to know

Sign of the times More than 144,000 people signed a petition in support of a 7p charge on every regular-sized can of soft drink with added sugar. As is parliamentary protocol, the government considered the topic for debate. And then said no.   Hit hard in the pocket The hospitality sector’s wage bill will rise 3.4%…
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News review

Disposable cutlery ban France could soon say “non” to plastic cutlery. The National Assembly has voted in favour of a ban on disposable forks, spoons and plates from 2020. A ban on plastic bags could also come in to force next year, reported The Connexion newspaper. Both measures are included in a bill on renewable…
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Plastic bag numbers rise for the fifth year

THE NUMBER of plastic bags taken from supermarkets has increased for the fifth year running – despite research from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs showing that the average household already has 40 plastic bags stashed away around the home.                     New figures show…
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EU Minster block ban on plastic bags

A NUMBER of EU countries gave reportedly blocked an EU proposal that aims to cut the use of plastic carriers bags.                     Following strong support from consumers, a target of 80% reduction in use of carrier bags by 2019 was proposed by the European Parliament, which…
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WRAP publishes new carrier bag use figures

DATA PUBLISHED by WRAP shows that 8.3 billion thin-gauge (single-use) bags were used in 2013 by customers of UK supermarkets.                     This represents an increase of 3.2% compared with 2012 (8.1 billion), and a decrease of 32% compared with 2006 (12.2 billion), when reporting began.  …
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Queen’s speech sets out government’s agenda

THE QUEEN’S speech was delivered to parliament yesterday outlining the government proposed legislative programme for the next year including 11 new bills.                           Some of the most important announcements for the foodservice and hospitality sector came under the Small Business, Enterprise and Employment…
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5P charge on carriers bags to be made mandatory across England

FOLLOWING the example of Scotland and Wales, it has been announced that a minimum 5p charge on carrier bags will be introduced across England from 2015.   Retailers will be required to charge for single use carrier bags in a move that aims to reduce the number of bags in use as well as the…
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Charging for carriers bags could give Scotland a £90m boost

THE SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT estimates that plans to get retailers to charge a minimum of 5p for a carrier bag could net around £90m, according to a long term forecast.   Plans to introduce the mandatory charge is part of government proposals to reduce waste, with proceeds from slaes to be donated to charities and environmental…
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