In 2015, shops in England began to levy a nominal charge for plastic carry bags and it has paid rich dividends. In 2014, seven largest supermarkets handed out nearly 7.6 billion such bags to their customers. However, in the last financial year, the figure had dropped to two billion. That has encouraged the authorities to consider doubling the charges that shoppers will have to pay in order to reduce the menace of plastic still further.

Sky News reports the money that came through this levy did not go into government coffers but went towards good causes.

There will be an increase in this charge with an aim to reduce Plastic Pollution. These changes could become effective from January 2020. Schools will strive to bring to an end the use of single-use plastics by 2022. Michael Gove, the Environment secretary, has revealed this plan.

Positive step to check plastic pollution

Prime Minister Theresa May had announced in August about changes in the offing to the plastic bag levy by the end of 2018. The environment secretary has said that the nominal charge had made it possible to curtail the use of plastic which is a big positive. The drive has succeeded in eliminating nearly 15 billion plastic bags from circulation, and with the plan on the anvil, it could reduce further.

Thanks to various awareness programs, people have become wise to the evils of plastic pollution and a behavioral-change will help to protect our planet.

Plastic is a major threat to the environment and marine lives. The media keeps reporting incidents related to the dangers that birds and animals face from plastics.

It is necessary to cultivate the habit of saying ‘no’ to single-use plastic that continue to remain as litter all around us and go in for alternatives.

There is less plastic around

According to Standard UK, a study carried out by a society that looks after a marine conversation has established that the levy on plastic carry bags has reduced the amount of plastic on the beaches. Oceanographer Dr. Laura Foster, head of the society, has confirmed this. She expects support to grow for such initiatives.

The levy has proved useful to cut down on the volume of plastic waste generated and simultaneously has raised money for local, national and environmental charities.

Schools must encourage stoppage of single-use plastic like straws, bottles and food packaging and embrace alternatives. It is a global issue because plastic waste is non-biodegradable and everyone has a role to play to ensure that it does not pollute the environment.
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