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| Cllr Larry Thompson |
Commenting on the
Environment Minister’s announcement that the plastic bag levy will be introduced
from April next year, Cllr Thompson stated: “With the environmental
consequences of carrier bags now well known I am glad that action is being
taken in Northern Ireland to encourage people to move away from single use
carrier bags. This is a positive move to clean up Northern Ireland in light of
the fact that plastic bags can pose a real litter problem and a threat to
wildlife, especially when digested by animals.”
Continuing, Cllr
Thompson remarked: “A similar plastic bag tax was introduced in the Republic of
Ireland years ago and has been extremely effective with most people now
bringing their own carriers when shopping and avoiding bags which were
previously offered as a matter of course even when buying small items such as a
newspaper.”
Concluding, Cllr
Thompson stated: “I am glad that the tax will be gradually implemented with the
tax set at 5p per bag for the first year, rising to 10p in April 2014 with
reusable heavy duty bags exempt from the levy during the first year. This will
enable retailers to phase in the new set-up and allow shoppers to become
acquainted with new ways of shopping where you bring a reusable bag with you as
a matter of course. Shoppers don’t however have to wait until next year before
making the move and should consider making the switch today to deliver a clean
and green environment.”