Single Use Carrier Bag Charge (Scotland) Regulations 2014

There are more bags per person used per year in Scotland than any other UK Country. That’s over 750 million carrier bags used in Scotland each year. This figure has prompted the Scottish government to introduce the Single Use Carrier Bag Charge (Scotland) Regulation 2014. As part of a strategy to combat our throwaway culture and reduce littering, this policy is intended to promote the reuse of bags and provide incentive to switch to other types of shopping container. The regulations will come into force on October 20 2014.

The Trading Standards Service within Aberdeenshire Council are responsible for enforcing this regulation and as such, all queries should be directed to them at trading.standards@aberdeenshire.gov.uk Who does this affect?The legislation applies to all suppliers of goods who intend to provide a single use carrier bag to customers to transport goods. This can include sales of food or other goods from schools, community centres, leisure facilities and also including gift shop sales from visitor attractions. What do you need to know?•From 20th October 2014, single use carrier bags can no longer be given away as free when goods are purchased.

•There will be a 5p minimum charge. This is the price Aberdeenshire Council will charge for a single use carrier bag.

•Bags can be made from plastic, paper or starch.

•The bags that will not be charged for include those used for unpackaged food, unpackaged seeds etc., unpackaged knives etc., unpackaged goods contaminated by soil etc. and also some pharmaceutical goods. Small bags, approx. 175mmx260mm can also be supplied free of charge. The ‘no charge’ also applies to carrier bags made from cotton, flax, hemp, jute or sisal.

•Reused carrier bags will not incur a charge.

•The regulations do not state how the net income from the charge should be used, but organisations are encouraged to donate the proceeds to a good cause or charity. When will this start?The regulation comes into effect on the 20th October 2014.What happens to the money raised by carrier bag sales?Aberdeenshire Council is giving consideration to signing up to the Carrier Bag Commitment and proposing that all income gained from the sale of the carrier bags will be put to a good cause (yet to be decided). Please ensure that the monies raised from the sale of carrier bags is recorded so that the funds can be allocated accordingly.

With a view to waste reduction in mind, it is strongly recommended that either the use of carrier bags be avoided altogether or that customers are offered reusable bags. By removing the option to purchase a single use carrier bag we will be ensuring that a ‘reuse culture’ is being promoted throughout the Council as well as with our service users and customers.

We can all reduce the impact that single use carrier bags have on the environment by ensuring that once purchased, they are reused over and over again. Once the bags are of no use then we need to make sure they are disposed of in a responsible manner.

Anything that can be done to reduce the number of bags supplied will be a positive step to promoting a zero waste culture and doing our bit for the environment.

For more information please visit Carrier Bag Charge Scotland