Greener Upon Thames, the anti-plastic-waste campaign based in Kingston and Richmond, welcomed the introduction of a carrier bag charge in England in the Queen's speech on June 4th, but expressed disappointment that it would exclude paper and biodegradable bags and wouldn't apply to small shops. Local campaigner Trish Pargeter said that Greener Upon Thames would continue to press for less confusing legislation that would also be more effective in reducing waste, litter and damage to the environment and wildlife.
See the press release at http://e-voice.org.uk/greenerkingston/news/cautious-welcome-to-plastic-ba/ for the full story.
New figures from WRAP in July 2014 showed that plastic bag use in England has risen for the fourth year in a row. 7.4 billion bags were given out in England in 2013, an increase of 18% from 2010, while Wales and Northern Ireland, where charges are already in place, show decreases of 79% and 67%.
The Government has committed to introducing a 5p charge on carrier bags in England on 1st October 2015. However, the proposed exemptions for small businesses and paper bags means that this scheme will be much less effective than those in Wales and Northern Ireland.
Read the July news story in The Guardian and comment from campaigners in the latest press release from the Break the Bag Habit coalition.