Figures should signal green light for plastic bag levy - Alliance

1.02.59pm BST (GMT +0100) Mon 4th Sep 2006

Antrim Alliance Councillor, Alan Lawther

Alliance Spokesperson, Cllr Alan Lawther, said that figures from Tesco showing that 10 million plastic bags have been saved in UK in the past month illustrate how easy it can be to protect the environment. Alan Lawther said that these statistics back up the Alliance Party's call for the introduction of a plastic bag levy.

The Antrim Councillor stated: "Its great that Tesco saved 10 million plastic bags in the UK in the last month, through recycling used ones. Their scheme has shown how a plastic bag levy would provide an incentive for everyone to recycle them.

"A plastic bag levy would ensure that less bags were produced, therefore cutting down on emissions created during their production.

"The levy would help stop plastic bag littering, as far fewer would be disposed of after their use. The proceeds of any levy could be used to fund environmental projects, therefore providing a double boost in the area of environmental protection.

"After a plastic bag levy was introduced in the Republic of Ireland, it cut plastic bag usage by 90% and helped provide over £93 million for environmental schemes. These figures illustrate that the implementation of such legislation in Northern Ireland would have a very positive impact on the environment."

ENDS