Pressure on EU to ban plastic bags

A huge response to the consultation to ban plastic bags is in favour of a ban.

A green paper is due in the next few months and clarification of the situation is urgently needed. Italy introduced a complete ban from Jan 2011, but the legality has been challenged and France put a similar plan on hold for the same reason.

National policies on plastic bags vary widely. Denmark, Ireland, Wales and Bulgaria charge a tax on plastic bags. Retailers in France, Germany, Portugal, Hungary and the Netherlands have begun charging for plastic bags voluntarily.Apart from a few exceptions (such as M&S), bags are still given away free in the UK (except Wales).

The UK Govt. will have to take action soon, as they are looking more and more out of kilter with the rest  of Europe.