Free carrier bags could be banned in London

Following public consultation free disposable carrier bags could be banned in London in a bid to encourage the use of eco-friendly alternatives. The cross-party London Councils group has approved a private Bill that will oppose the handing out of free, disposable bags in shops and supermarkets.

It is estimated that around 13 billion free plastic bags are used each year, with at least 1.6 billion bags used by Londoners alone.  Under the new Bill, customers wanting to use carrier bags will have to buy them from retailers with any profits ideally going to environmental projects.

The decision to force a ban seems would appear to have public support, with 90 per cent of respondents in a public consultation calling for action on shopping bags.  Nearly 60 per cent of of those surveyed wanted an outright ban on free plastic disposable carriers in the capital.

Chairman of London Councils, Councillor Merrick Cockell, said:

“The campaign to rid the capital of the environmental blight of throwaway shopping bags begins here.  As a society, we need to do far more to reduce the amount of waste we are sending to landfill and London as a city is determined to take an ambitious lead on this issue.  I urge all Londoners to voice their support to their MP and back the Bill once it gets to Parliament.”

The London Local Authorities (Shopping Bag) Bill is due to be deposited in Parliament on November 27.