Carrier Bag Levy

A consultation by the Welsh Assembly Government to put a levy on the sale of single use carrier bags has ended.

The proposal is to charge up to 15p for every single use carrier bag, including paper, polythene and bio degradable bags, to reduce landfill and litter.

WAG does not yet have the power to collect the levy money directly, forcing retailers to spend it themselves on an environmental cause.

Many businesses have criticised the scheme with concern about the amount of extra work it will create for smaller shop owners. Doubts have also been raised about whether it will work in reducing landfill. Supporters point to the success of a similar tax in Ireland which reduced the number of bags used by 90%.

Wales@Work speaks to shop owners, packaging suppliers and environmental campaigners to discuss whether the scheme will work to reduce landfill or is just another tranche of red tape for small businesses.