Quote:
Laws may be introduced to force shops to reduce the number of plastic bags they give to customers, a minister has warned.
Retailers have met Government officials to discuss ways of cutting the amount of bags in circulation over the next year.
They are working towards a voluntary set of reduction targets but legislation may be brought in to make the targets mandatory if self-regulation fails to have an effect.
Environment Minister Ben Bradshaw said: "We use between eight billion and ten billion shopping bags a year. They are a major waste problem. They are very difficult to deal with and are a major visual problem in the environment - in rivers, trees and on verges.
"They have also become a serious threat to marine wildlife, which tends to die if it ingests these bags. We have got to do much more to reduce the number in circulation. Some retailers are already showing a courageous lead on this front and others must do the same."
The Government wants retailers to cut the number of bags they give out and encourage shoppers to re-use and recycle them.
Another meeting will be held in a fortnight's time to decide measures to "significantly reduce" the plastic bag mountain
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Perhaps now, the ' Boffins ' and the Government, will spend some money on finding a ' Degradable Carrier Bag ' solution, instead of wasting time & money on things like finding out how many times a night a mosquito makes love
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14-10-2006, 12:05 PM
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