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17/04/2012
Carrier Bag Charges Discussed
In a bid to reduce Northern Ireland's carbon footprint a consultation has been launched to discuss introducing legislation that will see shoppers pay for every new carrier bag they use.
It has been suggested that carrier bag charging will be introduced in two stages. Firstly a levy of five pence will be issued for single use carrier bags, including bags made from plastic, paper or other materials with an aim of the charge being introduced from April 2013.
It is then understood that from April 2014 the charge will be extended to lower cost reusable carrier bags. This will provide consumers with an opportunity to adjust their shopping behaviour by bringing their own bags, instead of being charged the 10p per bag after the extension of the levy in April 2014.
This legislation would put in place a uniform charge for all retailers in Northern Ireland. Supermarket giants across the UK like Tesco, Asda and Lidl have previously helped promote the reuse of carrier bags - some even giving incentives, such as the 'green points' from Tesco, to encourage such behaviour.
The legislation is subject to approval but Environment Minister Alex Attwood said the new levy will be of interest to many consumers and businesses in Northern Ireland.
He said: " I am confident that the levy can make a positive contribution towards making Northern Ireland a greener and cleaner place to live, work and invest."
(LB/GK)
It has been suggested that carrier bag charging will be introduced in two stages. Firstly a levy of five pence will be issued for single use carrier bags, including bags made from plastic, paper or other materials with an aim of the charge being introduced from April 2013.
It is then understood that from April 2014 the charge will be extended to lower cost reusable carrier bags. This will provide consumers with an opportunity to adjust their shopping behaviour by bringing their own bags, instead of being charged the 10p per bag after the extension of the levy in April 2014.
This legislation would put in place a uniform charge for all retailers in Northern Ireland. Supermarket giants across the UK like Tesco, Asda and Lidl have previously helped promote the reuse of carrier bags - some even giving incentives, such as the 'green points' from Tesco, to encourage such behaviour.
The legislation is subject to approval but Environment Minister Alex Attwood said the new levy will be of interest to many consumers and businesses in Northern Ireland.
He said: " I am confident that the levy can make a positive contribution towards making Northern Ireland a greener and cleaner place to live, work and invest."
(LB/GK)
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Carrier Bag Tax Raises £2.2m
Some 24 environmental projects are to share in £2.2 million raised through the plastic bag levy. The tax, introduced in April 2013, places a five pence charge on every carrier bag sold.
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Some 24 environmental projects are to share in £2.2 million raised through the plastic bag levy. The tax, introduced in April 2013, places a five pence charge on every carrier bag sold.
12 June 2014
Carrier Bag Levy Raises £2.3m
£2.3m has so far been generated to facilitate the delivery of over 250 environmental projects across Northern Ireland following the introduction of the Carrier Bag Levy. Last year, Environment Minister Mark H Durkan announced the first ever allocation of Carrier Bag Levy monies to the 2014 Challenge Fund, resulting in a final spend of £2.3million.
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£2.3m has so far been generated to facilitate the delivery of over 250 environmental projects across Northern Ireland following the introduction of the Carrier Bag Levy. Last year, Environment Minister Mark H Durkan announced the first ever allocation of Carrier Bag Levy monies to the 2014 Challenge Fund, resulting in a final spend of £2.3million.
16 October 2012
Plastic Bag Tax Jobs For L'Derry
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Environment Minister Alex Attwood has announced the creation of ten new jobs for L’Derry via the introduction of a plastic bag tax across Northern Ireland next year. The city is to be the location for the new team set up to implement the changes when the levy comes into effect in April.
21 February 2022
New Competition Launches To Encourage Carrier Bag Re-Use
A new Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful competition has been launched to encourage young people and their families to always re-use their carrier bags.
New Competition Launches To Encourage Carrier Bag Re-Use
A new Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful competition has been launched to encourage young people and their families to always re-use their carrier bags.
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