Environmental group call for doubling of plastic bag tax

An environmental group today called the planned 4c increase in the plastic bag tax a “missed opportunity”.

“We welcome (Environment) Minister Roche’s acceptance that a rise in the plastic bag tax is needed to ensure it continues to keep bag use down,” said Friends of the Earth director Oisín Coghlan.

“But small gradual increases are not the way to do it. We need to restore the original shock value that made people think twice about using plastic bags.

“The best way to do that is to double the tax to 30c.”

Announcing the plan yesterday, Mr Roche said that he was willing to consider a second rise in the levy to bring it above 20c.

Friends of the Earth believe that a one-off doubling of the tax would be much more effective in reminding retailers and shoppers of the purpose of the tax.

“Four years ago nobody wanted to pay 15c for a plastic bag and they changed their behaviour accordingly,” added Mr Coghlan.

“Now we’ve got used to it bad habits are creeping back in. A 4c increase each year wouldn’t change that – people would take it in their stride.

“A big jump in the tax every four or five years if bag use is increasing makes much more sense.”