Menu
10/11/2021
Carrier Bag Levy To Increase From 5p To 25p
The Northern Ireland Carrier Bag Levy will increase from 5p to 25p from 01 April 2022, Environment Minister Edwin Poots has announced.
The Minister made the announcement during an Oral Statement to the Assembly on Northern Ireland's first overarching Environment Strategy.
In addition to the rise in the Levy, Minister Poots also announced an extension to the existing pricing threshold, which will see all bags priced at £5 or less subject to the levy, irrespective of the material they are made from.
Welcoming today's announcement, Minister Poots said: "Whilst the existing Carrier Bag Levy has been successful in already removing over 1.7 billion bags from circulation, I am aware that a significant number of retailers in NI are selling large volumes of heavy duty bags at a cost of 20 pence or more each. These are now flooding the market and are not being reused, with harmful environmental consequences. This announcement today will go some way towards making Northern Ireland a cleaner and more pleasant place in which to live, by ensuring that proceeds from the Levy are re-invested in supporting the wider NI environmental sector. By continuing to work together we can help meet the New Decade, New Approach commitment on eliminating plastic pollution, this also underpins the draft Green Growth Strategy for Northern Ireland, which I recently launched on behalf of the NI Executive."
The Minister continued: "It is unacceptable that far too much plastic ends up as pollution in our environment or waste in our landfills. My Department will continue to work hard on the issue of the circular economy, eliminating plastic pollution and tackling throwaway culture. With over five trillion single use plastic bags used worldwide every year and plastic waste set to quadruple by 2050, I would encourage everyone to play their part locally and re-use bags whenever they can."
The Minister made the announcement during an Oral Statement to the Assembly on Northern Ireland's first overarching Environment Strategy.
In addition to the rise in the Levy, Minister Poots also announced an extension to the existing pricing threshold, which will see all bags priced at £5 or less subject to the levy, irrespective of the material they are made from.
Welcoming today's announcement, Minister Poots said: "Whilst the existing Carrier Bag Levy has been successful in already removing over 1.7 billion bags from circulation, I am aware that a significant number of retailers in NI are selling large volumes of heavy duty bags at a cost of 20 pence or more each. These are now flooding the market and are not being reused, with harmful environmental consequences. This announcement today will go some way towards making Northern Ireland a cleaner and more pleasant place in which to live, by ensuring that proceeds from the Levy are re-invested in supporting the wider NI environmental sector. By continuing to work together we can help meet the New Decade, New Approach commitment on eliminating plastic pollution, this also underpins the draft Green Growth Strategy for Northern Ireland, which I recently launched on behalf of the NI Executive."
The Minister continued: "It is unacceptable that far too much plastic ends up as pollution in our environment or waste in our landfills. My Department will continue to work hard on the issue of the circular economy, eliminating plastic pollution and tackling throwaway culture. With over five trillion single use plastic bags used worldwide every year and plastic waste set to quadruple by 2050, I would encourage everyone to play their part locally and re-use bags whenever they can."
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
28 November 2024
Lidl Northern Ireland Opens Two New Stores
Lidl Northern Ireland has announced the reopening of its Stewartstown Road store in West Belfast and the opening of a new store in Carryduff. The Stewartstown Road store, which has undergone a major redevelopment, will reopen on December 5th. The new Carryduff store, Lidl’s 43rd in Northern Ireland, will open on December 12th.
Lidl Northern Ireland Opens Two New Stores
Lidl Northern Ireland has announced the reopening of its Stewartstown Road store in West Belfast and the opening of a new store in Carryduff. The Stewartstown Road store, which has undergone a major redevelopment, will reopen on December 5th. The new Carryduff store, Lidl’s 43rd in Northern Ireland, will open on December 12th.
28 November 2024
Japanese Cyber Security Firm Expands in Northern Ireland
Economy Minister Conor Murphy has announced that Nihon Cyber Defence (NCD) is expanding its operations in Northern Ireland. The Japanese cyber security firm, which specialises in protecting critical infrastructure, governments, and businesses from cyber-attacks, first established a presence in Northern Ireland in 2018. This latest £1.
Japanese Cyber Security Firm Expands in Northern Ireland
Economy Minister Conor Murphy has announced that Nihon Cyber Defence (NCD) is expanding its operations in Northern Ireland. The Japanese cyber security firm, which specialises in protecting critical infrastructure, governments, and businesses from cyber-attacks, first established a presence in Northern Ireland in 2018. This latest £1.
19 August 2021
30% Fewer Disposable Carrier Bags Given Out In The Last Year
The number of plastic, disposable, carrier bags given out by retailers in the last year fell by more than 30%, with 24.3 million fewer bags dispensed. The 8th annual Carrier Bag Levy statistics for Northern Ireland showed that in 2020/21 shows that 56.
30% Fewer Disposable Carrier Bags Given Out In The Last Year
The number of plastic, disposable, carrier bags given out by retailers in the last year fell by more than 30%, with 24.3 million fewer bags dispensed. The 8th annual Carrier Bag Levy statistics for Northern Ireland showed that in 2020/21 shows that 56.
10 January 2023
SDLP Calls For Action On Plastics Ban In NI
The SDLP has called for progress to be made on a single-use plastics ban in Northern Ireland. Climate Change Spokesperson Mark H Durkan made the call after an announcement that a ban would be progressed in England before the end of the year.
SDLP Calls For Action On Plastics Ban In NI
The SDLP has called for progress to be made on a single-use plastics ban in Northern Ireland. Climate Change Spokesperson Mark H Durkan made the call after an announcement that a ban would be progressed in England before the end of the year.
25 February 2020
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.
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.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Rain clearing away east by early evening with some clear spells but a few showers likely to affect the North coast and other areas towards dawn, remaining breezy and mild overnight. Minimum temperature 9 °C.
