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Plastic bag charge: Could fee be applied to other packaging? | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
A 5p charge for plastic bags in large stores was introduced in England a year ago next week, and research suggests it's had positive environmental effects with usage being radically reduced. | A 5p charge for plastic bags in large stores was introduced in England a year ago next week, and research suggests it's had positive environmental effects with usage being radically reduced. |
Some 90% of shoppers in England now use their own carrier bags, research for Cardiff University has suggested - up from 70% before the levy was introduced. This follows similar results in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. | Some 90% of shoppers in England now use their own carrier bags, research for Cardiff University has suggested - up from 70% before the levy was introduced. This follows similar results in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. |
So could similar charges be applied to other items to help the environment? | So could similar charges be applied to other items to help the environment? |
Plastic bottles | Plastic bottles |
Elena Sautkina, an expert in environmental psychology, believes that there is a "window of opportunity" to bring in further potential charges against plastic. | Elena Sautkina, an expert in environmental psychology, believes that there is a "window of opportunity" to bring in further potential charges against plastic. |
"Our research shows people are sensitive right now to the plastic waste arguments," she told the BBC News website. | "Our research shows people are sensitive right now to the plastic waste arguments," she told the BBC News website. |
Dr Sautkina, who was one of the academics behind Cardiff University's research, says bringing in a deposit return scheme for plastic bottles could be one of those ways. | Dr Sautkina, who was one of the academics behind Cardiff University's research, says bringing in a deposit return scheme for plastic bottles could be one of those ways. |
Her research has shown that since the plastic bag charge was introduced public opinion in England has grown towards introducing a similar scheme for plastic bottles. | Her research has shown that since the plastic bag charge was introduced public opinion in England has grown towards introducing a similar scheme for plastic bottles. |
She surveyed a representative group of people spanning England, Wales and Scotland one month before the 5p bag charge was introduced, a month afterwards, and six months afterwards. | She surveyed a representative group of people spanning England, Wales and Scotland one month before the 5p bag charge was introduced, a month afterwards, and six months afterwards. |
Her results saw what she termed as "strong support" for a plastic bottle deposit scheme grow over time in all three countries - from 16% to 20% in England, 23% to 25% in Wales and from 13% to 18% in Scotland. | Her results saw what she termed as "strong support" for a plastic bottle deposit scheme grow over time in all three countries - from 16% to 20% in England, 23% to 25% in Wales and from 13% to 18% in Scotland. |
Coffee cups | Coffee cups |
The coffee cup waste problem is one which has only recently seemed to capture the attention of the general public. | The coffee cup waste problem is one which has only recently seemed to capture the attention of the general public. |
Most consumers wrongly assume that the paper cups used are a "green" choice. | Most consumers wrongly assume that the paper cups used are a "green" choice. |
However, to make these cups waterproof, the card is fused with polyethylene, a material that cannot be separated out again in a standard recycling mill - and therefore the cups from the many High Street coffee chains cannot be recycled. | However, to make these cups waterproof, the card is fused with polyethylene, a material that cannot be separated out again in a standard recycling mill - and therefore the cups from the many High Street coffee chains cannot be recycled. |
Dr Sautkina believes bringing in a charge for disposable coffee cups would garner support. | Dr Sautkina believes bringing in a charge for disposable coffee cups would garner support. |
"People are buying the arguments being made about plastics, and I think charging for coffee cups could work in a similar way," she said. | "People are buying the arguments being made about plastics, and I think charging for coffee cups could work in a similar way," she said. |
'Excessive' packaging | 'Excessive' packaging |
One other area that Dr Sautkina's research team investigated was public opinion towards excessive plastic packaging. | One other area that Dr Sautkina's research team investigated was public opinion towards excessive plastic packaging. |
Similar to the attitudes towards plastic bottles, her results suggested rises in support for paying an additional charge for produce that is individually wrapped in plastic. | Similar to the attitudes towards plastic bottles, her results suggested rises in support for paying an additional charge for produce that is individually wrapped in plastic. |
Again she asked a representative group this question in three phases - one month before, a month after, and six months after the English 5p bag charge was brought in. | Again she asked a representative group this question in three phases - one month before, a month after, and six months after the English 5p bag charge was brought in. |
The sample size in each of three phases varied from 3,066 people in the first group, to 2,005 people a month afterwards and 1,230 people six months afterwards. | The sample size in each of three phases varied from 3,066 people in the first group, to 2,005 people a month afterwards and 1,230 people six months afterwards. |
In England, she saw a rise in "strong support" for such a scheme from 13% to 18%, in Wales from 20% to 21% and in Scotland from 12% to 17%. | In England, she saw a rise in "strong support" for such a scheme from 13% to 18%, in Wales from 20% to 21% and in Scotland from 12% to 17%. |
"As a marker we also asked for public opinion on increases on taxes paid on petrol and there was no such a rise," Ms Sautkina said. | "As a marker we also asked for public opinion on increases on taxes paid on petrol and there was no such a rise," Ms Sautkina said. |