MSPs call for integrated approach on plastic bags

CENV010/2005 | 6 December 2005

The Scottish Parliament’s Environment and Rural Development Committee has asked for more information before reaching a decision on the general principles of the Environmental Levy on Plastic Bags (Scotland) Bill.

The Committee believes that the Bill is not ready to proceed until Mike Pringle MSP (the member in charge of the Bill) and Ross Finnie MSP, the Minister for Environment and Rural Development, provide further information. The Committee has recommended a delay in the process so that Mike Pringle can address its concerns. It has also asked the Minister to report to it on how his forthcoming waste minimisation strategy can deal with plastic bag use in an integrated way.

Committee Convener Sarah Boyack said:

“Our Committee very much welcomes the debate about environmental issues, resource use and changing individual behaviour that has been provoked by this Bill.

“The proposal seems very simple, but we found that the possible impacts of the levy are actually very complex on a whole range of issues. Whether the Bill would result in a positive net environmental impact is hotly disputed.

“The way the levy is to be administered also raises concerns about the costs and complexity. These issues make it difficult to judge whether this proposed levy scheme will be able to achieve its aims.

“We agreed unanimously that we don't think that the Parliament can decide whether this Bill should proceed until some of these issues are resolved.

“We welcome the Minister's announcement of a waste minimisation strategy. The Committee wants this to include ambitious measures to address plastic bag use - including exploration of the option of a levy.

“Being part of an integrated strategy offers the best chance that measures will succeed and produce real net environmental improvements.”

The Bill proposes that retailers and other businesses must charge customers a levy (currently proposed to be 10p) for each plastic bag provided. The levy is to be collected by local authorities and spent on environmental projects.

The Bill aims to:

• raise awareness of environmental issues and encourage people to reduce the number of plastic bags in circulation;

• reduce the amount of waste going to landfill sites, by encouraging the re-use and recycling of plastic bags;

• reduce the amount of plastic bag litter and the harm it causes to the environment and to animals.

The Committee noted a number of areas where further work is required, including:

• The potential job losses and economic impact in both the plastic bag industry and some retail sectors must be considered carefully as part of the Executive's green jobs strategy.

• The administration of the levy needs to be improved, if possible, to make it more centralised and cost-effective.

• It is not clear whether VAT would be imposed on the levy. This creates huge potential confusion.

The Committee has requested reports from Mike Pringle and the Minister by 31 August 2006. It will then make its final recommendation. That would give time to allow the Bill to complete its process before the Parliament is dissolved for the 2007 Scottish elections.

BACKGROUND NOTES

The Environmental Levy on Plastic Bags (Scotland) Bill was introduced as a members' bill by Mike Pringle on 17 June 2005. Copies of the Bill can be accessed on our website and copies of the Stage 1 report are also available.

The Scottish Executive has not yet taken a position on the Bill. During evidence to the Committee, the Minister for Environment and Rural Development announced that he would shortly launch a consultation on a waste minimisation strategy. This is to cover a wide range of issues and will discuss measures to affect retailers, consumers, businesses, etc. The Committee called for such a strategy in its 2003 inquiry into the national waste plan.

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