News

The Packaging and Films Association (Pafa) has threatened legal action over proposals in last month's Budget to charge retailers for carrier bags if reductions in use are not made on a voluntary basis.

Pafa chief executive David Tyson said: "We intend to give them a fight because we can prove that our products, if used wisely and responsibly recycled, are the best choices customers can make."

The Budget came less than two weeks after the Waste & Resources Action Programme (Wrap) reported that the voluntary scheme with retailers to reduce use by 25% by the end of the year was "broadly on track".

Since February 2007, retailers had recorded an overall drop of 14% in the amount of virgin plastic used – the measurement selected to monitor environmental impact – although individual success varied between a 70% fall and a 22% increase.

Latest retail initiatives
Marks & Spencer is to start charging 5p for single-use plastic carrier bags at all its food outlets from 6 May
DIY store B&Q will also introduce a 5p charge at 320 stores, after successful trials in Scotland and North-East England
Asda hopes that forcing customers to ask for bags from the checkout operator, beginning in June, will cut use by 20%
Morrisons will give away 10 million free multi-trip bags in May to help reduce single-use bags by 25% by 2009