UK: Government ignores calls to include all retailers in plastic bag charge scheme, but puts exemption for biodegradable plastic bags on hold

The UK Government has ignored calls to include all retailers in the 5p plastic bag charge, due to come into force in October 2015. This sets the English policy apart from the successful universal schemes introduced in Wales and Ireland.
The Government has, however, listened to concerns raised by the cross-party Committee about the problems that could be caused for the UK’s recycling industry by the proposed exemption for ‘biodegradable plastic bags’. Ministers have accepted that it will not now be possible to include this exemption when the charge is introduced next year (News Item parliament.uk, 17 June 2014).
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