Despite a sharp fall in the use of plastic bags since the introduction of the 5p levy in October 2014, a new study has revealed that carrier bag litter in Scotland is up 38% since February of that year.
Despite the increase, carrier bags still only represented less than a half of one per cent of litter items recorded. Perversely, the study found that the occurrence of other items, that don’t carry a charge, has fallen. For example, the number of drinks containers found decreased by 18% and coffee cups by 36%.
The results indicate that charges do not change the behaviour of people who litter.
Commenting on the study, Jane Bickerstaffe, CEO of INCPEN, said: “It suggests that more charges and deposits on other items, such as disposable coffee cups and drinks bottles, will not make a difference. These charges would simply place additional financial strain on hard-working families because, unlike a bag charge which is avoidable if you take your own bag, everyone who wants a drink would have to pay.
“We have to look at fresh approaches to cleaning up our towns and countryside. There are many good local campaigns and initiatives but what’s needed is a long term national programme that makes it socially unacceptable to litter anything. INCPEN recommends that governments look at how we change the behaviour of litterers, so everyone is proud of their environment and everyone puts all rubbish in a bin or takes it home.”
The study, commissioned by the environmental organisation INCPEN and conducted by Keep Scotland Beautiful, was carried out across 120 sites in Edinburgh, Falkirk, Renfrewshire and Inverness.
