Environmental protection measures will be paid by consumers of plastic bags + video

A revolutionary invention of the middle of the last century, a convenient and practical plastic bag today has become a threat to all life on our planet, becoming an inexhaustible source of long-lived garbage and pollution.

The danger of the situation is being realized in many countries, taking practical steps to limit the appetites of the oil-era monster. Recently in Scotland, local lawmakers gave the green light to an environmental initiative. In October 2014, a special levy will be imposed on each single-use plastic bag.

By an overwhelming majority of votes, 100 in favor and only 12 against, MPs approved the new regulation, according to which 5 pence will have to be paid for packages. All income received from the budget will be directed to charity.

The measures are aimed at curbing the shaft of plastic garbage still handed out free of charge in Scottish stores, from which shoppers take out 750 million single-use bags annually, more than in any other region of the UK.

Similar laws were introduced in Wales in 2010 and Northern Ireland in 2013. They have led to a sharp decline in the use of plastic bags as disposable containers for carrying purchases.

After the introduction in Scotland of a new, aimed at suppressing the garbage shaft collection, the only region in the UK where the “plastic monster” will still feel safe will remain England. However, the situation may change in this country. The local government announced last year plans to introduce a similar fee in 2015.

Measures to limit the “free circulation” of plastic bags are being developed in the European Union. Lawmakers are considering various options common to all 28 member states of the Union containment measures, among which, perhaps, will be targeted fees, incentive fees and even outright bans.

Welcoming the vote, Scotland's Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead said the money raised would be used for good causes, including environmental projects. For this reason, the Secretary considers that the fee imposed cannot be classified as a tax. “This legislative guideline highlights how seriously Scotland takes tackling litter, reducing waste and creating a clean, green environment for the benefit of all,” he said.

Facepla.net based on Business Green



Source: facepla.net