Michael Meacher – scourge of the plastic bag (maybe)

Signs are emerging of the possible forthcoming occurrence of a rare incident of common sense in the government. According to the BBC, environment minister Michael Meacher has been observing with approval a scheme in the Republic of Ireland whereby shoppers pay a 15 cent (9p) tax on disposable carrier bags (the thin, shoddy bags supermarkets and virtually everywhere else usually hand out free, whether you want them or not).

Given that 10 billion such bags are currently handed out each year in the UK, and that nearly all end up in landfill sites where they take decades to degrade, releasing small quantities of various lovely toxins along the way, this would seem like an excellent idea.

Interestingly, the supermarkets are said to be in favour of the idea, with Asda claiming it’s ‘in everyone’s interest’. This is interesing considering that so far they’ve gone out of their way to give away (sorry, make us pay for through increased prices) excessive packaging at every possible opportunity. Supermarkets could drastically reduce the number of plastic bags being given away in no time at all, simply by agreeing amongst themselves not to give away free bags any more. Simple, no tax paperwork, saves everyone money and benefits the environment. So why haven’t they? The only answer we can come up with is that they secretly like having their logos littered across the countryside and wind-blown advertising tumbling down every street. Or perhaps they just don’t give a damn unless they’re absolutely forced to.

Source - http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/uk/newsid_1969000/1969997.stm