ACS

ACS has responded to the decision by London Councils to lobby for a ban on free plastic bags in London. The proposal, which is still not finalised in detail, include a ban on free plastic bags, the possibility of retailers charging for a plastic bag and a requirement for the funds to be used for environmental benefit.

London Councils, an umbrella group for 33 local authorities in the capital, have approved a private bill aimed at encouraging alternatives to plastic bags following a consultation. 90 per cent of people responding to London Councils’ consultation on plastic bags called for action and 60 per cent called for an outright ban. London Councils plans to introduce legislation to Parliament using the private bills procedure on 27 November 2007.

James Lowman, ACS’ Chief Executive said: "ACS is committed to encouraging retailers and their customers to reduce the amount of plastic bags they use. We signed up to the industry ambition of reducing the environmental impact of plastic bags by 25% by the end of 2008 and we are working alongside Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the Waste Resources Action Programme to pursue this objective.

“In order to change plastic bag use we need the buy- in of Government, local authorities and consumers, so we welcome the energy and commitment of London Councils. However, there are a number of unanswered questions about how the ban would work, and we remain sceptical about developing London- specific solutions. We will work with London Councils to better understand how this proposal can be implemented.”