Experience from Ireland suggests that bags will be re-used more often; fewer surplus bags will be acquired or more durable alternatives designed for long-term reuse will be adopted. The benefits go much further than the simple reduction in plastic bag usage by raising an awareness of a pressing environmental issue, namely the ongoing increase in the waste produced in Scotland. Any proposal that can affect consumer behaviour on a daily basis, reinforcing the waste hierarchy of prevention, reduction and reuse can in no way be termed modest.

Submission of Evidence for Environmental Levy on Plastic Bags (Scotland) Bill