STROUD town councillors say the new levy shoppers will have to pay for plastic bags is not enough to make a major difference to the environment.
In the Queen’s Speech – the government’s legislative timetable – it was announced that from October next year shoppers will have to pay 5p for a plastic bag.
But the levy will only apply to Britain’s supermarkets, which hand out seven billion carrier bags a year.
Stroud town councillor Eva Ward said: “Five pence is not enough to deter people, though it is a welcome start.”
Cllr Ward is spearheading the town council initiative called STOP: Stroud Town Opposed to Plastic (bags and packaging). The STOP campaign aims to raise awareness of the waste of plastic bags and encourage businesses and supermarkets to offer alternatives.
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