photo: Janerik Henriksson / TT
the use of plastic bags in Europe, according to an EU directive reduced by half by 2025. a proposal for a Swedish solution is a minimum price of five per carrier bag, according to a report from the Environmental Protection Agency today handed over to the government. A price shock compared to the approximately two crowns pouches costs in grocery stores today.
The EU Directive covers only thin plastic bags. But the Environmental Protection Agency wants Sweden to go further why the proposal covers all types of plastic carrier bags. Thus, both the thin available in grocery stores and those that you get for free when shopping, for example, the clothing store. The reason is that banning only thin plastic bags could lead to an increased production of thick bags, which is even worse for the environment. But it excludes the plastic bags that are sold in rolls and is most often used to throw garbage in.
– Sweden has already done well with that often take a certain fee on plastic bags in parts of the grocery trade. We have the possibility to see now how we take the next step, while other EU countries perhaps will begin to charge for the bags from scratch. We begin a step up, says Åsa Romson.
The Swedes consume today more than 80 bags per person per year. And according to the Environmental Protection Agency, which is tasked to investigate the issue, a minimum price is necessary to reduce consumption and increase recycling.
– We have made a business intelligence and looked at how they tried to tackle the problem of other countries. And there are two ways to go: bans or price rise, says Sandra Backlund, social economist at the Environmental Protection Agency.
Italy has introduced a ban for bags that are not biodegradable. But according Backlund ban has not solved the problem because some bags still end up in nature. And a total ban on plastic bags are not considered as work.
– Prohibits it all will probably paper bags used instead, and they are more energy intensive. Also required bags with different characteristics than the paper sometimes, she says.
At the same time suggests the Environmental Protection Agency that the price level should be evaluated when there is a basis for Swedish consumers’ price sensitivity and how much the consumption of plastic carrier bags is reduced.
Applies to all EU countries
2015, the EU decided that all Member States should reduce its consumption of thin plastic bags.
Decreased littering and a reduction of inefficient use of resources is the goal .
In Sweden, the aim is to reduce consumption by more than half, from over 80 plastic bags per person per year to 40 pieces. The goal will be reached by 2025.
Source: Environmental Protection Agency.
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