Page 49 - Plastcs News January 2019

internAtionAL news

UK launches consultation to Boston has officially banned

extend plastic bag charge to all plastic bags
retailers

oston has recently rolled out its new ban on plastic
B“checkout” bags. Customers at large and midsize
he UK government has
Tlaunched a consultation grocery stores will no longer be given them at checkout,
to increase the 5p plastic and residents will instead need to bring reusable bags or
bag charge to 10p, as well as have them bagged in paper, which will cost a mandatory
extend it to all retailers in a minimum fee of five cents per bag if purchased from
the retailer. The ban also applies to plastic bags used
move to reduce their usage.
The government has made to package carry-out orders at restaurants.
the decision as it identified The plastic bag ban was signed by Mayor Marty Walsh
that small and medium-sized late last year. “We know that single-use plastic bags
enterprises (SMEs) across the have an impact on
country are using more than the environment.
3.6 billion single-use plastic bags annually.According to Our goal is to
the government, the consultation is aimed at exploring reduce litter and
the possibility of encouraging further behaviour change by pollution. We want
increasing the 5p minimum charge to 10p. The consultation to protect the ocean
will be open for eight weeks.sUK Environment Secretary our waterways. We
Michael Gove said: “The 5p single-use plastic carrier bag aim to also reduce
charge has been extremely successful in reducing the greenhouse gasses
amount of plastic we use in our everyday lives. Between and reduce solid
us, we have taken over 15 billion plastic bags out of waste in the waste stream.” The ban will roll out in
circulation. But we want to do even more to protect our segments in the upcoming months. Retail establishments
precious planet and today’s announcement will accelerate 20,000 square feet and larger were subject to inspection
further behaviour change and build on the success of starting December.14. Retail establishments 10,000
the existing charge.”The 5p charge rule, introduced in square feet and larger will be subject to inspection
October 2015, currently applies only to major retailers. It April 1, 2019, while establishments smaller than that
has seen an 86% reduction in single-use plastic bag sales will have inspections starting July 1, 2019. After that,
across major supermarkets. Smaller stores are often at the retailers can only keep in stock recyclable paper bags,
heart of a local community providing a range of essential compostable bags and reusable bags.
services to local people, and will be encouraged to donate Businesses have until June 30 to comply, at which point
proceeds to good causes. Commenting on the decision, the regulations will be enforced with a $25 fine for the
Association of Convenience Stores chief executive James first offense, $50 fine for the second offense and $50 fine
Lowman said: “We welcome the Government’s plans to for the third and all subsequent offenses. According to
extend carrier bag charging to all shops. This has been some store, the change received a mixed reaction from
shown to be highly effective at reducing waste, whilst customers. Some welcomed the switch. while others
also raising money for local, national and environmental were unhappy with the lack of handles or the larger
charities.“Around half of the small shops in England size of the paper bags. Customers now have the option
already charge for plastic bags voluntarily, with wider to use paper bags or purchase thicker, reusable plastic
support for a mandatory charge.” In a move to eliminate bags for a fee at the checkout counter.The ordinance
all avoidable plastic waste, the government has recently only applies to “checkout bags,” which are carryout bags
introduced various measures including the Resources and with handles. The ordinance doesn’t include newspaper
Waste Strategy, ban on microbeads, a consultation on bags, laundry and dry-cleaner bags, trash can liners and
restricting the sale of plastic straws, stirrers and cotton bags used to wrap produce, frozen food, meat or fish.
buds, and more.

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51 Januar y 2019 Plastics News