NI shoppers use 12m bags a month

NI shoppers have reduced the number of bags they use

Shoppers in NI still use 12m plastic bags a month, despite a 38% reduction in their use, new figures show.

The statistics, released by the British Retail Consortium (BRC), showed NI was 10% behind the overall UK figure in reducing the number of bags used.

Last year, seven UK supermarkets signed up to a scheme which aimed for a 50% cut in bags given out compared to 2006.

Last week, Environment Minister Edwin Poots said he would consider introducing a plastic bag tax in NI.

"The Northern Ireland result could be better but the overall trend is a positive one and a 38% reduction is significant," he said.

"I will be monitoring progress on this issue as Northern Ireland is behind the rest of the UK and greater improvement is necessary."

Ironically, it was suggested by retailers, that the surge in business for the supermarkets from the Irish Republic, where a bag tax has reduced plastic bag usage, is responsible for the fall in Northern Ireland being less than the rest of the UK.

'Achievement'

The 38% cut was achieved against a backdrop of a growing volume of sales - shoppers from across the border have been taking advantage of the pound-euro exchange rate to shop in the north.

In May 2006 19.8m bags were used in Northern Ireland in supermarkets in the BRC scheme - including Asda, the Co-op, Tesco, Sainsbury's and Marks & Spencer.

By May, this year the monthly total had dropped from 7.6m to 12.2m.

BRC director general Stephen Robertson said: "This is an excellent achievement by customers and retailers in Northern Ireland, but they still have further to go."

He added: "Changing customers habits on this scale, this quickly, isn't easy. But it's a huge testament to customers, who've switched to bags for life and cut bag usage.

"Hard-working retail staff also deserve credit, as do retailers themselves - who've spend the money during these tough times to help this happen."

He said the message was clear - the voluntary approach was very successful and could lead to better informed customers and lasting change.

"Reducing the number of carrier bags handed out is only one of retailers' many green commitments," said Mr Robertson.

"For example, supermarkets are working hard to reduce the amount of food waste produced, which is a bigger polluter than carrier bags.

"They're also promoting recycling, discounting energy efficient products and cutting their own energy use."