Resource Use

Scottish carrier bag charge awareness campaign launched

The Scottish Government yesterday (26 September) launched an awareness campaign to prepare shoppers for the upcoming carrier bag charge.

Scottish carrier bag charge awareness campaign launchedComing into effect on 20 October, the Single Use Carrier Bags Charge (Scotland) Regulations will require retailers to charge shoppers a minimum of five pence (5p) for every single-use carrier bag taken in a bid to reduce litter. The charge includes plastic, paper and plant-based bags and will apply to anyone selling goods, even online.

As such, Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead has launched a new public awareness campaign reminding shoppers about the charge, and encouraging them to take reusable bags with them when shopping.

‘Scotland is serious about tackling litter’

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.”

He added that the funds raised from the charge will be donated to ‘good causes’, and urged retailers to sign up to Zero Waste Scotland’s Carrier Bag Commitment. This asks signatories to commit to donating their proceeds from the charge to charities, local environment projects, or social schemes, and to report on how many bags they’ve sold and how the money has been used.

In return, they’ll be able to use dedicated reporting tools to simplify the process, and take part in communications activities that promote their businesses and the good causes they are supporting.

Zero Waste Scotland offering retailers advice

The public awareness campaign comes just days after Zero Waste Scotland (which delivers the Scottish Government’s Zero Waste Plan) announced that it was offering advice and support to Scottish retailers to help them to prepare for and understand their requirements.

Guidance and information about the charge, including a staff training video, an FAQ database, and customisable materials for customer-facing communications such as artwork for posters and till receipts, has been made available for retailers on a dedicated website.

Iain Gulland, Director of 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 reuse 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.”

Carrier bag charges around the UK

Wales introduced a carrier bag levy in 2010, which led to carrier bag use dropping by 76 per cent in a year. A similar charge came into effect in Northern Ireland in April 2013, and is also being used to fund environmental projects.

England will come into line with the devolved nations and charge 5p per plastic carrier bag from next autumn, although the English proposals have been heavily criticised.

Find out more about the carrier bag charge and the Carrier Bag Commitment.