Minister Miliband won’t find plastic bags spoiling his lovely views of Ireland
He plans to report back on their unique plastic bag tax, something Defra has refused to consider in the past, afraid of being accused of implementing a stealth tax, unable to see the wider picture.
I researched this for an academic paper and visited Dublin after the tax was implemented in 2002 to combat a serious littering problem. As a result, an astounding 90% fewer plastic bags are used, the people think and act more environmentally friendly and it is regarded as an excellent role model throughout the world.
Shoppers are charged 15 cents per plastic bag and the money goes into a Government Environemtal Fund which is used to improve environmental projects, though I have heard this might increase soon. Shopppers now use either paper or reusable bags. It all makes perfectly good sense to me – and many others too.
As you will see from this, it is a subject close to my heart and I await with baited breath to see if Minister Miliband will make his own mark in Defra by following this through.
I agree that it makes sense, but I just cannot take that final step.
Supporting a New Labour stealth tax.
Such a move is an anethema to me, particularly as there might well be a million more stealth taxes going around in Gordon’s head, all of which make perfect sense.
Is there really no alternative such as biodegradable bags or even introducing the death penalty for anyone dropping them as litter?
Anything rather than another stealth tax.
John, The levy can be avoided if shoppers use alternative bags. The point is that this levy is not a stealth tax enforced on all consumers, and this kind of fiscal legislation is often the only effective way to make people rethink environmental issues. The levy has had the support of people in the Republic of Ireland, they do not regard it as a punative measure.
Biodegradable bags can still end up causing a littering problem, but they certainly should be used more.
Did you read my recent post about the death penalty? A touchy subject …..
Apparently, according to on of Milibands earlier posts, the tax hasnt been succesful!
Personally I shop at Aldi’s an ethical company where nothing is ‘free’ Yep you have to pay for your bags in hard cash.
Geoff, the point is that you don’t need to pay for bags in shops if you take your own, that’s what they do in Dublin fair city, you soon get used to it if you have to fork out for one every time.
Yes, our government is also looking at introducing 10 cents per plastic bag, currently we pay zero. I think it needs to be brought in.
OK Ellee, I’ll meet you half way. Let the shops charge for the bags but don’t give it to the government to waste. Give it back to the shops to reinforce their bottom line. They can then either reduce prices, or increase profits. Either way, the money will be more wisely spent than giving it to Gordon Brown.
John, I appreciate your offer, but I’m not convinced that greedy multinationals would be any better than than Gordon Brown. The RoI seems to have found a solution that works well and is admired by its own people. The shopkeepers didn’t want it because of the extra admin, but they took it on board 2 months after the introduction of the euro. It works so well there, I really suggest you go there yourself to see, which is what I did when I researched it for an article for an environment magazine.
Ellee, I’m inclined to agree with you. On a recent trip to Dublin I was very impressed with the system in place. I have since seen the article below querying the success. It notes that households re-use plastic bags as bin liners (I do in my house). However, in most rooms this could still be done with paper bags. None the less I thought the link was worth including, I’m still very much inclined to support a policy in line with the Irish one.
article querying ‘bag tax’:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/4836766.stm
[…] I was very disappointed that David Miliband, even after visiting Ireland and seeing for himself how successful the ban was, came back and said he would be happy with a 25% reduction of plastic bags in the UK within 2 years, as opposed to the 90% plus reduction which the Irish managed. […]