MONEY collected by corner shops and convenience stores through the 5p charge on plastic bags is to be given to an anti-litter charity.
The Scottish Grocers’ Federation has announced that it will work alongside environment charity Keep Scotland Beautiful and donate any funds raised through the so-called plastic bag tax.
Since it was introduced a year ago around 650 million fewer plastic bags have been used in Scotland, taking around 4,000 tonnes of bags - many of which ended up in landfill - out of the system.
Supermarket chains have set up their own funds to distribute money raised by the charge, with around £7 million given to charities and good causes so far.
However, small independent shopkeepers have previously given the money to local causes and have not linked up with a charity of Keep Scotland Beautiful's stature before now.
The step marks another milestone Scotland's acceptance of the plastic bag charge, which has been hailed for its beneficial impact on the environment.
The new partnership with Keep Scotland Beautiful will allow smaller retailers to work together and make sure that the benefits of the carrier bag charge in corner shops are as tangible as the larger supermarket schemes.
Pete Cheema, Chief Executive of the Scottish Grocers Federation, commented: “The Scottish Grocers Federation has, since the introduction of the carrier bag charge, encouraged retailers to donate the proceeds to good causes that will improve the local environment. The initiative launched today will provide a central platform to allow us to work together, supporting a Scotland-wide environmental campaign.
“By partnering with Keep Scotland Beautiful this will ensure that our retailers will be able to see significant environmental improvements on their own doorstep - benefiting their customers and the communities they serve.”
The partnership cements the relationship formed when the Federation, through its President, Abdul Majid, signed a commitment to support the Clean Up Scotland Campaign run by Keep Scotland Beautiful last year.
Now Keep Scotland Beautiful has pledged to deliver further environmental improvements with the Federations’ support.
Derek Robertson, Chief Executive of Keep Scotland Beautiful, said: “There can be little doubt that the introduction of the 5p charge has had a significant effect on shopper behaviour. It has also allowed charities, such as Keep Scotland Beautiful to help transform communities by supporting locally led clean ups and further action on environmental improvements.
“We look forward to deepening our partnership with the Scottish Grocers’ Federation to continue to reach out to local communities across the country and help deliver real changes to help make Scotland cleaner, greener and sustainable.”
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