Single Use Carrier Bags Charge

Neil is responsible for developing and providing assistance to retailers and trade associations regarding the proposed regulations and pointed us in the direction of a very clear website set up to provide all the information necessary ahead of the introduction of the charge on 20th October.

Scottish Government has produced draft guidance to compliment the draft Regulations, and it can be accessed via the carrier bag website at www.carrierbagchargescotland.org.uk.

This site also has a training video plus downloadable communications materials that retailers can utilise. Neil will also provide articles for the July and August editions of the SFMTA Newsletter – Federation News.

Additionally, Scottish Government has developed the Carrier Bag Commitment (CBC), a voluntary agreement designed to assist businesses in meeting their obligations to record, store and produce records as required- further details can be found at http://carrierbagchargescotland.org.uk/includes/uploads/ZWS432_Carrier_Bag_commitment_factsheet_V2.pdf

It has been stressed that this is not a TAX. It is a charge and it is up to you what you do with the 5p that you have to charge after you have accounted for the VAT.

The Government's CBC allows for the sums collected to be pledged for charitable purposes. All carrier bags will have a minimum 5p charge regardless of size.

Neil Purdom would like to clarify the following points in regard to your concerns:

1. The exemption for unpackaged, uncooked food applies to any bag used for primary packaging. There are no restrictions on the bag size.
2. The exemption for uncooked, packaged meat/poultry/fish has the following restrictions on bag size-  less than 205mm wide by less than 458mm high.For example, if you were to place unpackaged sausages into a bag, then you would not need to charge for the bag.

If the bag of sausages was then placed in a carrier bag, you would be required to charge for the carrier bag only.

These exemptions are designed to allow the use of appropriate bags for containing uncooked food, so there is no requirement to shift to bags that are unsuitable for this purpose (e.g. cotton bags).

Scottish Government is looking to launch the Carrier Bag Commitment (CBC) voluntary agreement during June, and would like to have as many different sectors represented as possible.

If any SFMTA member would like  to sign up individually, please advise Neil Purdom if you would be interested in signing the CBC and attending the launch event.

The draft Regulations can be found at http://www.legislation.gov.uk/sdsi/2014/9780111023211/contents

Please feel free to email or call Neil Purdom if you have any queries or questions. His contact details are:- 

Neil Purdom | Project Manager | Zero Waste Scotland
Mobile 07702 977 115
Email [email protected]
www.zerowastescotland.org.uk | @ZeroWasteScot