Gwenda Thomas supports plan to reduce free one-use carrier bags in Wales

Labour Neath AM Gwenda Thomas has today welcomed plans to reduce the number of free single-use plastic carrier bags in Wales, which were unveiled by Jane Davidson, Minister for the Environment, Sustainability and Housing this week.
A consultation was launched by the Labour-led Assembly Government asking for views on proposals to introduce a charge on single use carrier bags at the annual Welsh Litter summit at the Swalec Stadium, Cardiff.
Supermarket members of the British Retail Consortium (BRC) have already agreed to reduce the amount of single-use carrier bags they give out by 50% by spring 2009.
Gwenda Thomas AM said: “The voluntary agreement is excellent but it is important that we continue our efforts to improve the quality of the environment in Wales. Not all retailers subscribe to this agreement, and this means that half of all plastic bags are still used only once.
“It is vital to examine how we can further reduce the amount of single use carrier bags, and how to encourage more people to re-use bags.
“Approximately 480 million plastic bags are used every year in Wales. These bags can take between 500 and 1000 years to degrade.
Gwenda added: “The pollution caused by these bags cannot be sustained, and we must think of the legacy of environmental damage being left for future generations.”
ENDS