Carrier Bag Levy comes into force today!

From today Retailers in Newry and elsewhere in the province must now charge shoppers at least 5 pence for each new single use carrier bag. Unlike shoppers in the south the levy applies to paper bags and single use bags made from natural materials.

The levy will apply to each bag rather than each visit to a shop and is intended to slash the estimated 250 million single use bags used here every year.

Launching the new levy in Primark’s Belfast Bank Buildings store, Minister Attwood said: “In Northern Ireland we are using 30,000 carrier bags each and every hour. This levy is intended to help protect the environment by dramatically cutting the number of bags used. Working with the retail sector we are aiming for a reduction of at least 80%. Some retailers have already indicated that they will be eliminating single use bags altogether.

"There is already a high awareness among people here of charging for bags, not least because that is our experience travelling to the republic. I believe we can quickly adjust to the levy. People tell me they are concerned about climate change and want to find ways to make personal, family and local contributions to addressing the threat. The levy is precisely this.

“Shoppers can completely avoid paying the levy by bringing their own bags when shopping. Whether it’s a 'bag for life', a canvas bag, or just an ordinary plastic carrier bag, it all helps the environment by using less raw materials, reducing carbon emissions and reducing air and water pollution. This is what the levy is all about.”

Brian McKeown, General Manager of Primark’s Bank Buildings store, speaking at the launch said: “We welcome the opportunity to work in partnership with Minister Attwood and the Department of Environment in launching the Carrier Bag Levy and fully support the Department’s efforts to make Northern Ireland both cleaner and greener.” 

Rachael Keenan, St Louise's Comprehensive College, Belfast said: “This is great news! There are far too many bags thrown away. They litter our streets. They pollute our countryside. I want a better environment for our future. This will help a lot.” 

As the main impact on the environment comes from making and transporting bags, rather than how quickly the bags break down, the levy applies to paper bags and single use bags made from natural materials, in addition to single use plastic bags.

There are practical exemptions – on the grounds of hygiene and food safety, when a bag is essential to protect goods or consumers and for prescription items.

The levy doesn’t apply to bags manufactured for reuse (plastic reusable bags must conform to requirements in the legislation), some small bags, bags to carry hot food/drinks to be consumed away from a retail outlet, bags for items on prescription and bags solely containing packaged uncooked meat, poultry or fish (subject to the dimensions in the legislation).

Retailers are required to pass the proceeds of the levy to the Department of the Environment each quarter. The levy is expected to generate a significant amount of money to help community and voluntary organisations, businesses, schools and charities improve the environment.

Continuing Minister Attwood added: “My Department has been working with retailers to keep administration of the levy as straightforward as possible. Well over one thousand businesses have already completed their online registration. I’m urging any business dispensing new single use bags, that hasn’t already done so, to register now at http://www.nidirect.gov.uk/baglevy or call 0300 200 7879. The process only takes a few minutes and will make it simple for retailers to make returns to the Department from this July.

“We will continue to build relationships with the retail sector to ensure that the Carrier Bag Levy is a success. As Environment Minister I want us to implement bold challenging new laws to enhance our clean and green credentials. The levy will help to do that.”

Information about the Carrier Bag Levy and two short animated videos (one for shoppers and one for retailers) can be accessed at: www.nidirect.gov.uk/baglevy