Pringle welcomes moves to curb plastic bag use

12.00.00am GMT Thu 1st Mar 2007

Scottish Liberal Democrat MSP for Edinburgh South, Mike Pringle, has commented on the news that the Liberal Democrat Environment Minister Ross Finnie is to take action to reduce carrier bag use by a quarter.

In a joint initiative between the UK retail industry and Environment Ministers in England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales, customers will be encouraged to reduce significantly the number and impact of carrier bags they use and to recycle more carrier bags where appropriate.

Mr Pringle said:

"Since starting my campaign in 2003 I have been pleased to see major retailers start to take action on encouraging people to cut their use of plastic bags.

"People are becoming more aware of the damage plastic bags do to the environment, but more still needs to be done to encourage a change in our habits.

"This 25% reduction target is a good start.

"I will be monitoring progress closely."