Attwood announces initial five pence levy on single use carrier bags

Environment Minister Alex Attwood today announced that a five pence levy on single use carrier bags will be introduced in April 2013.
~ Monday, 30 January 2012

This will increase to ten pence in April 2014. The Minister has lowered the levy in the first year enabling consumers to adjust to the concept. Further, there will be no charge on multi use carrier bags in April 2013 as the ten pence levy won't apply to these bags until April 2014.

This is the first time that a levy will be introduced on carrier bags in Northern Ireland.

Alex Attwood said: “There is no doubt that carrier bags are a scourge on the environment. Evidence from other countries demonstrates that a bag levy is a simple and effective means to reduce substantially the negative environmental impact of carrier bag consumption. A proposed ten pence levy on single use carrier bags and lower cost reusable carrier bags can bring about significant environmental improvement.

“However I recognise that consumers will need time to change their behaviour and adjust to bringing their own bags when they shop. I therefore propose to discount the charge to five pence in the first year, when the levy will only apply to single use carrier bags. This will ensure a phased approach to charging. I am committed to making Northern Ireland a better place to live, work and invest and this will certainly contribute to that goal.”

Administration of the scheme will be based in Derry, reflecting the Minister’s commitment to job dispersal in the draft Programme for Government.

He said: “With the creation of the new carrier bag levy I welcome the potential to now locate up to ten civil servant posts in the North West, through the establishment of a new collection and enforcement team to administer the levy and deliver a cost effective in-house IT system.”

Alex Attwood concluded: “I fully recognise that this new levy will be of great relevance to many consumers and businesses in Northern Ireland. People can get detailed information of arrangements for implementation on the Rethink Waste NI website. The website will be updated and extended, as the details of the carrier bag levy are developed.”

The introduction of the levy is subject to Assembly approval of the required legislation.

Notes to editors:

1. On 12 October 2011, the Department completed a consultation on proposals for a carrier bag levy. The Environment Committee will be briefed on the consultation responses and the Department’s proposed policy direction on 2 February 2012.
2. Parallel to the bag levy consultation, the Department commissioned a survey to gauge baseline levels of awareness and attitudes towards the proposals to introduce the carrier bag levy. The findings suggested significant support for the concept of carrier bag charging.
3. The extension of charging to lower cost reusable bags requires new primary legislation. The Environment Minister sought and received Executive approval to bring forward a new Bill.
4. Levies have already been introduced on plastic carrier bags in Ireland (€0.22) and single use carrier bags in Wales (5 pence).
5. All media enquiries should be directed to the DOE Press Office on 028 90256 058. Out of office hours please contact the duty press officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.