Zero Waste Scotland launched a Carrier Bag Commitment for Scottish retailers yesterday (30 June), ahead of the introduction of carrier bag charging from 20 October.

New legislation passed by the Scottish Government will require all retailers to charge a minimum of five pence for every single-use carrier bag from 20 October 2014.

Zero Waste Scotland is supporting Scottish businesses to help them understand their responsibilities. The Carrier Bag Commitment will recognise businesses that donate the proceeds from the bag charge to good causes, and all retailers are being urged to sign up, free of charge.

Signatories commit to donating their proceeds from the charge to good causes in Scotland, which may include environmental causes, and to reporting on how many bags they’ve sold and how the money has been used. In return, they’ll be able to use dedicated reporting tools to simplify the process, and take part in communications activities that promote their businesses and the good causes they are supporting.

‘Quick, easy, transparent’

Iain Gulland, Director, Zero Waste Scotland said:“I urge all retailers in Scotland to consider signing up to the commitment – it’s quick, easy, transparent, and provides great publicity for your business and the good causes you choose to support.

“Zero Waste Scotland backs the carrier bag charge as a means to reduce the number of single-use bags in circulation, which often end up as litter in our streets or seas. We are rolling out a programme of support to Scottish retailers over the summer and beyond to help them understand the proposed carrier bag regulations, and to make the necessary changes in their business. Any retailer with any questions should visit our dedicated website www.carrierbagchargescotland.org.ukor contact us directly.”

‘A great win/win’ for Scottish busineses

The Scottish Seabird Centre only uses paper bags made from recycled materials. It was the first charity to sign up to the commitment, which means that money raised from its bags will allow the centre to further invest in its work as an environmental education and conservation charity. CEO Tom Brock said: “The charge for bags is very welcome: single-use carrier bags and the litter they cause harm our wonderful wildlife and Scotland’s outstanding natural environment. This charge will hopefully encourage more people to recycle and reuse wherever possible. It is a great win/win. It will help wildlife, the environment, businesses, Scotland’s tourism industry and can support the important work of environmental charities.”

The Scottish Grocers Federation became the first major retailer body to sign up to the commitment, while companies including McDonald’s, Marks & Spencer, The Co-operative Group, Holland & Barrett, Scotmid and RS Components have also signed up.

Zero Waste Scotland’s programme of support

Zero Waste Scotland is delivering a programme of support to Scottish retailers in advance of the charge being introduced. This includes printed information being sent to all retailers, big and small, in Scotland in July, giving them full details about how the single-use carrier bag charge will work. Retailers can access further information online and using the FAQ database. A series of regional retailer regulation training events are taking place with a supporting staff training video freely available online.

Point of sale branding will be available for signatories to the Zero Waste Scotland Carrier Bag Commitment.

The Commitment follows two years of consultations and preparations.

Carrier bag charges around the UK

Wales introduced the charge back in 2010, and said it caused carrier bag use to drop by 76 per cent. The charge came into effect in Northern Ireland in April 2013, and is also being used to fund environmental projects.

England will come into line with the devolved nations and charge 5p per plastic carrier bag from next Autumn, although the English proposals have been heavily criticised.

Find out more information about how the charge will work in Scotland.