Do you ever wonder where that 5p carrier bag charge you pay in the shop goes? This week it was announced that £2.2 million in the charges will go toward environmental projects across Northern Ireland.
The 5p carrier bag levy had plenty of critics when it was introduced in 2013, but the impact of the scheme has been positive. The number of single-use plastic bags used in Northern Ireland dropped by around 70% when the scheme was introduced and has stayed down, reducing plastic waste.
Many people assume the levy goes into the government's tax pool or may not generate significant enough revenues to be put to much use, but it turns out that the levy is actually supporting essential environmental work across Northern Ireland. This week it was announced that £2.2 million generated via the scheme will go toward 24 environmental projects across Northern Ireland.
Official statistics indicate that the carrer bag levy actually produced a total of £4.6m in proceeds last year.
The funding is being made available through The Environment Fund 2020/21, managed by the Department of Agriculture, Environment, and Rural Affairs. A total of 24 not-for-profit organisations will receive grants for environmental projects ranging from £6,746 to £257,468.
The schemes being funded includes the Woodland Trust's programme to preserve ancient woodlands, Ulster Wildlife's projects in preserving priority habitats and priority species, and the Causeway Coast and Glens Heritage Trust's projects surrounding the on-going management of the Giant's Causeway and nearby areas of outstanding natural beauty.
Environment Minister Edwin Poots announced the funding, saying: "This initiative reflects the New Decade, New Approach agreement where my Executive colleagues and I have pledged to eliminate plastic pollution and drive through a range of measures to protect the environment. I intend to work closely with the Executive and with other UK Ministers to co-ordinate our approach to unnecessary plastic and deliver the maximum benefit across the UK."
Source: Written based on press release
