The ACS and NFRN are urging independent retailers to introduce a voluntary plastic bag charging scheme.
Guidance on how to administer a voluntary charging policy has been produced alongside an animation and a poster to help retailers communicate their charging policy to consumers.
Over two-fifths (42%) of independent retailers already charge for plastic bags, while 65% support the introduction of mandatory plastic bag charging in England.
“I welcome this step by the Association of Convenience Stores and the National Federation of Retail Newsagents,” said environment minister Thérèse Coffey.
“As the prime minister said when launching our 25 Year Environment Plan, to help achieve our goal of eliminating all avoidable plastic waste, we will extend the 5p plastic bag charge to all retailers, to further reduce usage, and we’ll be setting out our next steps in due course.”
ACS chief executive James Lowman added: “There are thousands of retailers that are already charging for single-use plastic bags on a voluntary basis, and the feedback has been extremely positive. Retailers are able to use the funds raised from plastic bag charging to support local causes, whilst also playing their part in reducing the overall number of plastic bags given out.”
NFRN national president Linda Sood said “Independent retailers are the cornerstone of their local communities. NFRN members pride themselves on retailing responsibly and want to play a role in ridding their local surroundings of plastic waste. Through the carrier bag levy they recognise they can help protect the environment and raise funds for deserving good causes the length and breadth of the country at the same time.”
The ACS and NFRN will be distributing hard copies of the materials to members over the coming weeks, while the materials will be free to download from the ACS website from today.
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