Bags of sense
From Mr Peter Woodall Sir: In Banned wagon (21 September) Ross Clark brings a welcome breath of fresh air to the choking mythology which surrounds society's relentless belief in recycling. On one point, however, he is sadly misinformed.
Rigorous environmental audit, as opposed to 'feel good' environmentalism, will demonstrate that across a full life-cycle the thin, lightweight plastic carrier bag is one of the best environmental choices we can make. It uses raw materials and energy in manufacture, less fuel and energy in transportation (and less damaging exhaust emissions) than heavier alternatives, takes less storage space and, according to the government's own statistics, is re-used by 80 per cent of households for everything from bin liners to sports bags and the collecting of dog droppings. Nor is it true that plastic bags are a major contributor to our litter problem. In fact, plastic carrier bags are estimated to comprise less than 1 per cent of our street litter.
What the public have not been told about the ban in Ireland is that there has been a massive increase in the sale of plastic bags for bin liners and refuse disposal (so more plastic is being sold, not less), an increase in the theft of wire and plastic shopping baskets by those not prepared to pay the tax, and an increase in the theft of goods from the shelves, made easier by shoppers bringing their own bags into stores.
So why advocate a ban? Would it be too cynical to suggest that this proposal might just be another stealth tax with no real benefit to the environment?
Your readers may wish to consider getting a realistic view of the likely effects of this proposed tax by visiting www.carrierbagtax.com.
Peter Woodall
The Carrier Bag Consortium, Nottingham
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