Northern Ireland's 5p carrier bag tax is introduced

[dipsydoodle]

The new levy on plastic carrier bags comes into effect in Northern Ireland later.

Retailers must now charge shoppers at least five pence for each new single-use carrier bag.

The proceeds of the tax will be forwarded to the Department of the Environment.

The department hopes to see to see an 80% reduction in the use of carrier bags as a result of the levy.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-22047872

[BainsBane]

1. that's a good idea

I'd be more diligent about always remembering my cloth bags if I had to pay. Some places give discounts for your own bags.

[elleng]

2. and some places charge for plastic.

I 'live' in 2 different MD counties, which treat the matter differently. I STILL sometimes forget my cloth bag!

[muriel_volestrangler]

3. Will they charge the charities for the larger bags they post through our doors?

Since those are larger (2 to 3 times the size?), and I get one or 2 a week (and they long ago stopped saying they'd retrieve unused ones), I think it would make sense to charge the charities 10 or 15p for each one they make. At least the plastic bags for shopping are requested.