UK: Proposed English plastic bag law too complex

In 2013 a five pence tax on single-use plastic bags was announced, expected to take effect in autumn of 2015. The Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) proposed a draft bag policy providing exemptions for biodegradable plastic bags. The Environmental Audit Committee of Parliament has published an evaluation of Defra’s proposal.
Among the report’s conclusions is that Defra is trying to use innovation to justify a rushed and flawed policy proposal to allow an exemption for biodegradable bags. Another conclusion is that it is likely that the reduction in bag use would be lower than the 76% achieved in Wales (Recycling Laws International, 7 February 2014).
Click here for the report.

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