Charities across Wales are benefiting from the recently introduced 5p plastic carrier bag tax, as supermarkets and high street stores donate the proceeds to good causes.
Just last week Poundland donated a whooping £32,804.01 from sales of its plastic carrier bags to Cancer Research Wales, becoming the first discount retailer to support local charities since the carrier bag tax was introduced in Wales on 1st October 2011.
The Co-operative Food and Co-operative Pharmacy in Wales has set up an awareness programme with the Vincent Wildlife Trust, and will donate proceeds of the 5p carrier bag tax to help save one of Britain’s rarest mammals – the Pine Marten. The two-year project hopes to increase the numbers of these rare creatures by installing breeding den boxes in predator free zones.
A Welsh Businessman who runs five Spar Stores in Llanrwst, Penmaenmawr, Llanfairpwll, Llanfairfechan, and Rhos on Seas will be donating proceeds from the 5p plastic carrier bag charge to the Snowdonia Society. Established in 1967, the project strives to enhance the landscapes, heritage, and wildlife of Snowdonia National Park, and will use the carrier bag levy to fund “proactive enhancement work”.
Frozen Food giant Iceland has already raised a staggering £139,277.02 from the sale of carrier bags since the levy was introduced in October last year and they have decided to support Alzheimer’s Research UK, a “world class” dementia research project in Wales.
All major supermarket brands such as Sainsbury’s, ASDA, Marks & Spencer, and Tesco’s are donating the proceeds of the plastic carrier bag tax to good causes, and have already raised several hundred thousand for charities such as the RSPB and Welsh Mountain Rescue.
With great stories like these, it seems the controversial carrier bag tax is not so controversial after all. So buy a carrier bag next time you are out shopping, and support a local charity!
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