Lib Dems call for plastic bag levy to be introduced in Brighton & Hove

10.57.53am BST (GMT +0100) Thu 26th Jul 2007

Liberal Democrats want to see a plastic bag levy introduced in Brighton and Hove following moves in London which could see up to 10p charged for each plastic bag given out by shops in the capital.

All 33 London Councils are supporting the plans as part of a London Local Authorities Bill to be discussed in Parliament in November. Liberal Democrats want to see similar legislation rolled out across the country, and say that Councils such as Brighton & Hove should already be promoting a voluntary ban.

The scheme is designed to cut landfill waste and encourage recycling. The additional income could even be used for environmental projects benefiting local communities.

A similar scheme in Ireland cut the number of plastic bags by a billion after a similar levy was proposed. Figures suggest that reducing the number of bags used in Britain each year (currently estimated at 13billion) will see carbon dioxide emissions go down by 58,500 tons - the equivalent of taking 18,000 cars off the roads.

The Liberal Democrats say that Brighton and Hove City Council already should be promoting a voluntary ban, as this would help ease the City's waste crisis which is leading to a costly waste strategy reliant on incineration.

Lib Dem Councillor Paul Elgood said: 'Such a measure is long overdue. Too often we use unnecessary plastic bags when shopping - we would all think twice if we had to pay for them.

'Brighton and Hove must urgently reduce its waste, and the best way to do that is to tackle the problem at source by reducing what is produced. The waste caused by Brighton and Hove already means that the Council is staring an incinerator in the face. Radical action will help reduce the need for it.

'This scheme has been successful in the Republic of Ireland and Brighton and Hove is exactly the kind of place where such a measure would work well.

'The money raised could then be used in environmental schemes, benefiting both the environment and local people.'