LONDON (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 31st August, 2018) The UK government said in a press release that it was examining the possibility of doubling the price of plastic bags in supermarkets as part of its fight against global plastic pollution.
"Further action to tackle the blight of plastic waste and leave the environment in a better state than we found it has been confirmed by the Prime Minister Theresa May today ... The consultation, to be launched later this year, will also explore the possibility of increasing the 5p [$0.07] minimum charge to encourage further behaviour change, potentially doubling it to at least 10p," the press release said, adding that the measure might also touch upon smaller retailers, which are currently not obliged to charge for plastic bags.
May has also pledged to allocate 250,000 Pounds ($325,000) for holding a Sustainable Blue Economy Conference (the concept of "blue economy" advocates the reasonable use of ocean resources) in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi in November.
In October 2015, the United Kingdom obliged all supermarkets, whose staff exceeds 250 people, to charge for plastic bags. According to the UK government figures, about 13 billion plastic bags were sold by the country's retailers over past two years.
