Shoppers still bagging plastic sales

SHOPPERS are still buying plenty of plastic, despite the introduction of a bag levy last March.

Retailers have noticed substantial increases in the sales of bin bags, nappy bags and pedal bin-liners since the levy was introduced.

The number of plastic bags issued has fallen by 95% and has meant that consumers no longer have limitless supplies of plastic bags for household use. This has led to a 77% increase in sales of foot-pedal bin-liners in Tesco.

Sales of nappy bags have jumped by 84% in Superquinn and by 25% in

Super Valu and Centra stores. Swing binliner sales have increased by 75%.

"There has been an obvious increase in sales of kitchen bin-liners and nappy bags, where people would have previously re-used carrier bags. We are looking at options for degradable bin-liners and similar products so that the impact on the environment is minimised," said Super Valu-Centra trading director James Wilson.

He said the plastic bag levy in general had reduced the amount of plastic going to landfill and has had a "hugely positive impact" in general.

Super Valu and Centra stores have also reported that sales of "bags for life" the re-useable plastic shopping bags which were available before the levy have increased by 600-700%.

The plastic bag levy has led to a boom for Killeen, a bin bag company based in Drogheda, Co Louth. It produces 19 different types of bin bags and is now employing workers on double shifts to meet the demand.

"We've experienced a growth in sales of 300-400%. It's been phenomenal. You can trace it back to last March when the bag levy came in," Killeen business manager Ken Wall said.

The increase in plastic sales has not alarmed environmental groups.

"It's the exception to the rule. You only have to look at our streets to see the difference the bag levy has made. There's no plastic bags stuck in trees or fences anymore," said Friends of the Environment spokesman Tony Lowes.

A Department of the Environment spokesman said that 7.2m had been raised for the first six months.

In the bag

77% - increase in pedal bin liner sales (Tesco)

84% - increase in nappy bag sales (Superquinn)

13.5% - increase in bin bag sales (Superquin)

25% -Increase in sales of Nappy Bags. (Super Value/Centra)

75% -Increase in sales of Swing Bin Liners (Super Value/Centra)