Council encourages retailers to get ready for Carrier Bag Charges

23rd July 2014

The Highland Council are encouraging retailers throughout the Highlands to get ready for the 20th October when retailers will be required to make a minimum 5p charge for all single use bags.

Scotland currently uses 750 million bags each year and the legislation aims to encourage shoppers to think about reusing bags in order to prevent litter and combat our throwaway culture. The charge aims to encourage shoppers to make using a bag for life a habit wherever practicable.

The requirement applies to all retailers (food and non-food) and each single-use carrier bag (including paper and those made from plant based materials) which they hand out to shoppers from 20th October 2014. Guidance, posters and other resources are available from www.carrierbagchargescotland.org.uk/

Zero Waste Scotland is holding free training events across Scotland in July and August to help retailers understand and implement the carrier bag charge. The hour-long evening events will provide an opportunity to get detailed information about how the regulations will work, and ask any questions.

The Highland events are:

• 5th August - Inverness, Best Western Inverness Palace Hotel & Spa

• 6th August - Fort William, The Alexandra Hotel

On both of these days the sessions start at 7.30pm

To book a place, retailers should contact Zero Waste Scotland through their website: http://www.zerowastescotland.org.uk/content/events-2

Councillor Graham MacKenzie, Chair of Community Services, said: "It is to be hoped that the carrier bag charges will help reduce litter throughout the Highlands. I encourage retailers to check the carrier bag website to get advice on these charges. The training sessions being provided by Zero Waste Scotland are also a great opportunity to find out how the charges will work."