ACS

ACS is concerned about the Welsh Assembly’s decision to go ahead with imposing a charge on all single use carrier bags. The proposals that the Welsh Assembly is consulting on will be administratively burdensome on retailers and could lead to fewer customers using local and high street shops.

ACS Chief Executive James Lowman said: “Local shops across Wales have been leading the way in reducing the number of carrier bags that are given away. However these proposals are restrictive and will disproportionately impact smaller format retailers who rely on customers visiting on impulse, for example whilst travelling to and from work. Given that shopping locally or whilst commuting can reduce the need for dedicated and car-borne shopping trips, there is an environmental case for local shops being excluded from this policy.

“ACS is also concerned about the ‘administrative baggage’ included in the proposals for keeping records of numbers of bags given away and sold. The costs associated with these need to be seriously weighed up against the limited gains that will come about.”

ACS will be taking a group of retailers to meet with Welsh Assembly officials in the coming weeks.

We will also be making a submission to the consultation which is ongoing until September 21.