Northern Ireland traders urge a re-think on plastic bag levy | Industry News | TalkingRetail.com

The Northern Ireland Independent Retail Trade Association (NIIRTA) has, ahead of a key vote next week in the Northern Ireland Assembly, urged MLAs to rethink their approach to the proposed plastic bag levy.

Its call comes as the Plastic Bag levy is due for its second reading, possibly by accelerated passage this coming Monday (28 February) in a Private Members Bill by Daithi McKay MLA.

NIIRTA has expressed concern that the proposed levy will cause greater harm to the environment, add further red tape to small traders and increase working family’s grocery bills.

NIIRTA chief executive Glyn Roberts said:“We share the objective of this proposed legislation of reducing the amount of single-use plastic bag going to landfill sides and are keen to work with all political parties to achieve this aim.

“However there is a real danger that this proposed levy could actually result in more plastic going to landfill. Clear evidence of the levy in the Republic of Ireland showed a dramatic increase of black plastic bags and bin-liners (which take over a 1,000 years to bio-degrade) as a result of lesssingle-use plastic bags being re-cycled.”

The figures speak for themselves -

• Tesco– 77% increase in pedal bin liner sales.
• SuperQuinn– 84% increase in nappy disposable bag sales.
• SuperValue/Centra– 75% increase in swing bin liner sales.

 

Roberts said:“If this was repeated in Northern Ireland, this proposed levy would actually damage our environment rather than help it.

“This levy would also add considerably to the red tape burden of small traders and will hurt working families having to pay for plastic bags on top of increased shopping bills following the VAT hike in January.

“There are also major questions as to how it would be administered, enforced and just how much funds such a levy would generate.

“NIIRTA fully supports the Green New Deal and many of its members have led the way investing in green technology in heating, lighting and refrigeration. Our members have also been to fore in implementing a voluntary scheme of educating customers which has led in many stores to a 50% reduction in the amount of plastic bags going to landfill.

“We are completely committed to an effective strategy to reduce plastic bag usage and but would urge MLAs this Monday to carefully consider if this Private Members Bill will achieve this objective.

“Instead we would call for the Private Members Bill to be parked until after the Assembly Election. A new strategy should be developed by the DOE, working with retailers and packaging companies, which builds upon the voluntary approach of educating customers and avoids more plastic bags going tolandfill.”

Source: The Northern Ireland Independent Retail Trade Association (NIIRTA)

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