• Bookstore

While recycling is one way of cutting the damage to the environment caused by the millions of tonnes of waste Londoners generate each year, waste prevention and minimisation must be the long term aim. This is what the proposed levy on plastic bags is seeking to achieve.

The leaders of London's local authorities have put forward proposals for a new bill that will give councils a range of new powers designed to make the capital a greener and safer place to live ? with the plastic bag levy spearheading them. Consulations are taking place over the summer, with the proposals being put forward in a bill to the Commons in November.

At present over 13 billion plastic carrier bags are issued every year ? with only one in 200 being recycled. This means that billions of them are sent to landfill every year ? and each bag can take up to 400 years to breakdown.

If the levy option is pursued any revenue will be channelled into building more recycling facilities for residents. However, the proposal is not a revenue generating exercise and is instead designed to change people's habits.

Speaking on the proposals, London Councils Chairman Councillor Merrick Cockell said:

?While many people, from individuals to retailers, are making their contributions to lessen the damage we cause to the environment, London's local authorities have decided to take leadership of the issue. Inevitably, the big solutions to environmental issues will come from our cities, and London, as one of the world's truly global cities, is keen to step up to the mark and take the lead.

?We are pleased that the government is proposing to work with retailers to reduce plastic bag usage by 25% by 2008, but we think we need to take a bolder approach. What we are proposing may sound extreme ? but so too is the number of plastic bags that currently have to be sent to landfill because we can't recycle them. Ultimately the decision not to pick up a plastic bag lies with the consumer ? we will do anything we can do to encourage them to make the right choice

?This is about changing habits. People need to realise that the 'free' plastic bag they pick up in the supermarket is not really free at all ? certainly not in its cost to the environment. Introducing a levy on plastic bags should help consumers think twice before picking them up in future.

?We look forward to working with government, retailers and Londoners to make these proposals a success. London is keen to lead the way.?