The PlasTax
An Effective Practice
Description
In 2002, the Republic of Ireland became the first country to instate a plastic bag tax. The PlasTax is a fee charged per plastic bag consumed at checkout. The fee started at 15 cents per bag, and was increased to 22 cents in 2007. The aim of the tax is to change consumer behavior by encouraging shoppers to reduce the number of bags they use or to switch to reusable shopping bags. Bags made from heavy weight plastic that are reusable are exempt from the tax, as well as bags used for meat, fish, poultry, unpackaged produce, or other foods without packaging.
Goal / Mission
The goal of the PlasTax is to reduce plastic bag consumption.
Results / Accomplishments
The PlasTax resulted in an immediate drop in plastic bag use from an estimated 328 to 21 bags per capita. In the first year, tax resulted in a 90% drop in consumption, from 1.2 billion to 230 million per year. The country also raises approximately $9.6 million annually from the tax, money which is then used for programs that benefit the environment. Retailers have saved money by stocking fewer bags, and have benefitted from selling reusable bags. The reduced production of bags has resulted in a savings of approximately 18 million liters of oil.
About this Promising Practice
Organization(s)
Ireland's Department of the Environment, Heritage, and Local Government
Primary Contact
Department of the Environment, Heritage, and Local Government
Custom House
Dublin 1
+353 1 888 2000
minister@environ.ie
http://www.environ.ie/en/Environment/Waste/Plastic...
Custom House
Dublin 1
+353 1 888 2000
minister@environ.ie
http://www.environ.ie/en/Environment/Waste/Plastic...
Topics
Environmental Health / Toxins & Contaminants
Organization(s)
Ireland's Department of the Environment, Heritage, and Local Government
Date of publication
2008
Date of implementation
2002
Location
Ireland
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