Retail NI Issue Reminder To Shoppers On Carrier Bag Levy

Retail NI Chief Executive Glyn Roberts said:

“We absolutely agree on the objective to reduce the level of plastic in circulation as well as the levels that continue to litter our streets. Retail NI members have led the way in in reducing plastic packaging and promoting bag for life options”

“Retail NI argued for the 5p charge to be increased to a more realistic figure of 10p in line with what is being proposed in England and Scotland. We believe this increase to 25p will disproportionally impact on working families who are struggling with the cost of living crisis”

“However, we will work with DAERA on its implementation and urge them to keep this policy under review”

“As is the case in Wales, we would now like to see responsibility given to our members to allow them to decide on what local environmental projects the proceeds of the levy, that they administer, is spent on”

“Successive Environment and DAERA Ministers have never consulted local retailers on how the proceeds of the levy is spent. We want to empower our members to make the decisions themselves on how best to spend the levy which they collect”