As readers maybe aware my friends and I have been clearing up other peoples rubbish and litter for some 12 years now.
Many ‘blights’ still ongoing and the rubbish and litter never goes away.
I have during this time campaigned at all levels for a ‘TAX’ to be placed on ALL single use items, such as Plastic Bags, Drink Cans and Bottles, Papers, Polystyrene and Take away food containers.
The 5p ‘Levy’ came into effect in 2015 and has raised in excess of £180 million
The UK Government have in this time collected £70 Million in VAT
There is of course a valid argument that a ‘deposit’ scheme could work and I am very much in favour of this idea.
I spoke (again after nearly 8 years lobbying MP Barclay over the matters) and some very slow progress is being made.
At long last the 5p Plastic Bag TAX is being raised to 10p and all shops will have to comply.
There is a VAT element to the Platic Bag TAX but as less bags are used, then there is of course less TAX for the Government.
The residue goes towards environmental projects around the country.
The single-use carrier bag charge will rise from 5p to 10p and be extended to all businesses in England from 21 May.
The government said all stores, including corner shops, will now have to apply the charge from that date.
The 5p levy on plastic bags was introduced in England in 2015. Since then their use has fallen by over 95%.
The average person in England now buys just four single-use carrier bags a year from the main supermarkets, compared with 140 in 2014.
“The introduction of the 5p charge has been a phenomenal success,” said Environment Minister Rebecca Pow.
Many ‘third world countries are way ahead of us, I will keep the campaign going.
