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British shoppers have revealed that they are happy to pay for plastic bags, as they believe that this would cut down on the number they use.
The Liberal Democrats are set to back calls for a levy on these bags, in order to reduce the environmental impact and force shops to use more sustainable options, such as paper bags or reusable jute bags.
If shoppers were asked to pay 5p for a plastic carrier bag, a total of 75 per cent believe that they would cut down on the amount they use.
More than half of those people questioned claimed that it was totally reasonable to pay a small fee in order to gain disposable bags.
Those in favour of a change to current legislation told the Break the Bag Habit researchers that they felt it would help reduce litter and also protect the environment, a sentiment only 25 per cent of respondents disagreed with.
The Lib Dems are expected to back the introduction of such a levy in England at this weekend's party conference in Brighton, which will see them examine evidence of success stories in Ireland and Wales.
A 5p charge was introduced in Wales in October 2011, which led to the dramatic reduction in the number of disposable carrier bags.
National assemblies in Northern Ireland and Scotland are now undergoing consultations on how they too can follow the Welsh example and cut back on plastic bag waste.
Four leading campaign groups - the Campaign to Protect Rural England, the Marine Conservation Society, Keep Britain Tidy and Surfers Against Sewage - have all called on the government repeatedly over the last year to introduce levies on single-use plastic bags.
Discussing the proposals, Helen Bingham, from Keep Britain Tidy, said: "It is time for Westminster to follow the lead of the Welsh Assembly and introduce a charge that will help reduce the litter blighting our streets, parks and benches." |
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