Plastic bag charge is welcome but we still need to do more - YEP Letters

I welcome the Government’s proposal to increase not only the charge for single use plastic bags to 10p but also that all shops be obliged to charge for them.

It is clear that whilst there are many whose respect for the environment governs the way they shop, it is sad that there is a sizeable minority which only alters its behaviour when it affects their pockets.

We see scores of plastic bottles and cans littering our streets, our public parks, our countryside and our beaches doing damage to wildlife.

It is about time that our Government legislates for a money back scheme for returned empties.

Germany has been doing this for years with a refund of 25cents per item in all shops. In supermarkets they have machines which, when posted with a returned bottle or can, refunds this amount.

British supermarkets could easily afford to install these machines but they will not unless legislation forces them to do so.