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Awareness campaign ahead of bag charging from 20 October. 

Shoppers across Scotland are being encouraged to remember reusable bags to avoid a 5p minimum charge for single-use carrier bags, when landmark legislation comes into force next month.

Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead has launched a new public awareness campaign at the Gyle shopping centre in Edinburgh, ahead of the introduction of the charge on October 20, 2014. From that date it will cost at least 5p for each single-use carrier bag given out to shoppers regardless of where they shop, from supermarkets to corner shops and takeaways to high street retailers.

Mr Lochhead said:

“In Scotland we use over 800 million new single-use carrier bags every year – more per head than anywhere else in the UK. That is something we want to change. This milestone legislation underlines that Scotland is serious about tackling litter, reducing waste and creating a cleaner, greener environment for everyone to enjoy.

“We want people to stop and think about whether they really need another bag that could end up as litter. Instead we want people to get into the habit of reusing bags. The message of this campaign is that if we all remember our bags when we head out to the high street, the supermarket or the corner shop, it’s better for the environment and we’ll save money.

“Scotland’s bag charge will see funds donated to good causes by retailers. It is hugely heartening to see so many have already signed up to the Carrier Bag Commitment on donations and I’d encourage all retailers in Scotland to get involved.

“The introduction of bag charging has received a great deal of public and retailer support and I hope that together we can repeat the success achieved in other countries including Wales and Northern Ireland where similar measures have been brought in.”

Iain Gulland, Director, Zero Waste Scotland said:

“This is a timely campaign to alert shoppers to the imminent carrier bag charge in Scotland, an important measure to encourage re-use of bags and reduce the amount of litter in our communities.

“Zero Waste Scotland has been rolling out a programme of support to Scottish retailers to help them understand the regulations, and make the necessary changes in their business. I’d also like to encourage retailers to sign up to our Carrier Bag Commitment and donate proceeds from the charge to good causes – it’s quick, easy, and provides great publicity for your business and the good causes you choose to support. Any retailer with questions can visit our dedicated website www.carrierbagchargescotland.org.uk.”

For more information on the charge and the types of bags included visit www.cleanerscotland.org

Notes To Editors

• The Scottish Government has introduced the charge to reduce the number of bags that become litter. They are very visible litter, which blights Scotland’s natural and built environment, and councils pick up an estimated 7.4 million bags a year.
• Plastic bags in particular are made from non-sustainable means, such as oil and carbons, and are harmful to animals; marine litter kills an estimated million seabirds and 100,000 animals a year globally.
• The regulations cover bags made from plastic; paper; natural starch (bioplastics); and other plant-based materials (except cotton, flax, hemp, jute or sisal).
• Last year shoppers at Scotland’s main supermarket chains used 800 million single-use bags. The total number of single-use shopping bags used from all shops in Scotland is not recorded.
• Similar charges successfully introduced in Northern Ireland and Wales has shown drops in new bag use of around 80% and 70% respectively.
• Zero Waste Scotland is supporting retailers to help them understand their legal requirements under the new regulations. Retailers can formalise their donation pledge through singing up to the Carrier Bag Commitment (for more information see carrierbagchargescotland.org.uk).
• Zero Waste Scotland is funded by the Scottish Government to support the delivery of its Zero Waste Plan and other low carbon and resource efficiency policy priorities. More information on all Zero Waste Scotland’s programmes can be found at www.zerowastescotland.org.uk