Retailers agree to charge for plastic bags from next year

SHOPPERS WILL HAVE to pay for plastic shopping bags for their purchases from supermarkets and other outlets from May next year.

The 20 cents charge per bag is being introduced as part of a private sector initiative led by BICO Limited and is intended to be a deterrent to the use of plastic bags which have been identified as a major environmental hazard in Barbados.

Making the announcement yesterday, general manager of BICO Joanne Pooler said her company had managed to persuade retail outlets to buy into the idea that should force shoppers to use more reusable bags.

This is expected to significantly reduce the number of plastic bags being carelessly thrown away. (GC)