WIREDGOV

Plans to reduce the number of plastic bags in Europe came under fire as local & regional authorities criticised the proposals as lacking ambition.  With nearly 100bn plastic bags used each year, members of the EU’s Committee of the Regions approved a report setting out far tougher proposals than those laid out by the EC.  The Committee calls for:

* an outright ban of free plastic bags by 2020

* mandatory EU targets to reduce the number of single-use plastic bags for all member states

* obligatory charges for all carrier bags

• Europe's local governments call for 80% reduction and ban of free plastic bags
• Environment: Commission proposes to reduce the use of plastic bags
• Life Cycle Assessment of Supermarket Carrier Bags
• EAC Report: Plastic bags
• Keep the carrier bag charge simple - MPs tell Government
• Committee Secures Delay to Extension of Carrier Bag Levy
• Environment: Commission proposes to reduce the use of plastic bags
• Plastic bag charge set to benefit the environment
• Retailers show commitment to resource efficiency
• Minister congratulates retailers and shoppers on the successful introduction of the bag charge
• Report provides advice for retailers & shoppers on carbon footprint of carrier bags