Wales set to ban free plastic carrier bags

Welsh consumers currently get through 480 million free carrier bags a year, but WAG hopes to get this down to as close to zero as possible. A final policy decision should be made next year, with charges expected to be in place by 2011 or 2012.

The new study, from environmental consultancy AEA Technology, is part of a three month public consultation process. It investigated the environmental impacts of the different types of bags available and the impact introducing a charge would have on business and consumers.

The report also looked at the littering impacts of plastic bags and how they affect local environment, wildlife and sea life.

Findings that reinforce the decision to charge for free plastic bags included data from the Republic of Ireland showing a significant reduction in both plastic bag usage and littering when it introduced a charge in 2001 along with UK retailers, IKEA and Marks and Spencer, which both achieved substantial reductions when they introduced a charge on free plastic bags.

Welsh Environment Minister Jane Davidson, welcomed the report saying: "This is about changing consumer habits for the long-term good of our environment. In simple terms, the evidence shows introducing a charge works. Just look at what some retailers in the UK are already doing. IKEA and Marks & Spencer already have a charge for bags and they have seen reductions of between 80 per cent and 90 per cent. Stores such as Netto, Lidl, and Aldi have always charged for bags."

Davidson said the report showed, Wales was behind the curve on this issue. "In countries as diverse as China, Japan through to Finland, Iceland and Italy some form of charge is the norm. Consumers in our closest neighbours in Europe are used to paying for carrier bags when they visit the shops. With our plans we hope this will soon be the norm here in Wales," she said.