SCOTTISH Government-funded environmental body Zero Waste Scotland has launched the Carrier Bag Commitment for Scottish retailers.
New laws passed by the Scottish Parliament will require all retailers to charge a minimum of 5p for every single-use carrier bag from 20 October this year.
Retailers have to donate the cash raised to good causes, a decision taken after retail groups argued that such a rule would protect the many voluntary fund-raising carrier bag schemes that local retailers already have in place.
The Carrier Bag Commitment is designed to help ensure that, under any schemes that launch as a result of the new law, businesses donate the proceeds from the bag charge to good causes. All retailers are being urged to sign up to the commitment, free of charge.
The commitment scheme was launched at Scottish Seabird Centre in North Berwick, which became the first charity to sign.
The Scottish Grocers’ Federation became the first major retailer body to sign up to the Carrier Bag Commitment.
Large companies that have signed to date include McDonald’s, Marks and Spencer, The Co-operative Group, Holland and Barrett, Scotmid and RS Components.
Signatories commit to donating their proceeds from the charge to good causes in Scotland, reporting on how many bags they’ve sold and how the money has been used. In return they’ll be able to use tools to simplify the process and take part in activities that promote their business and the good causes they are supporting.
