Catering Scotland

Zero Waste Scotland has announced the launch of a new web portal to help retailers meet the requirements of Scotland’s carrier bag charge.

Businesses who have signed up to the Carrier Bag Commitment will now be able to record statistics and facts about the single-use bags they sell.

Scottish Government regulations, which came into effect on 20^th October 2014, require all retailers to charge a minimum of 5p for every single-use carrier bag. Retailers employing 10 or more full-time-equivalent members of staff must also keep, retain and supply information about the bags supplied and proceeds received as a result of the charge.

Signatories to the Carrier Bag Commitment agree to donate the proceeds from the charge to good causes in Scotland, and in return gain free access to the reporting portal as well as bespoke communications materials.

Scottish Government Environment Secretary, Richard Lochhead, said: ‘Now that the carrier bag charge charge is bedding in, shoppers will expect transparency in how bag numbers are falling, as well as where the proceeds go.

‘I am therefore urging retailers to sign up to this commitment to publish their results and donate the proceeds to good causes.’

Iain Gulland, Chief Executive, Zero Waste Scotland, added: ‘By signing up to the Carrier Bag Commitment, retailers can use this dedicated reporting portal which provides an  easy and transparent way for retailers to record key data, as required by law, around the number of bags sold and revenues generated.

‘In addition, the commitment provides great publicity for businesses and the good causes they support, and allows retailers to demonstrate to their customers what they’re doing with the money they raise from single-use bags.’

Over 250 retailers have already registered an interest in the commitment, with signatories including Marks and Spencer, Superdry and Holland and Barrett.

Signatories can register for and access the portal at www.carrierbagcommitment.org.uk

Full details of the Carrier Bag Commitment can be found at www.carrierbagchargescotland.org.uk