The date of October 5th may seem like just another day, but in fact it has huge significance in this countries progression as an Eco-friendly and sustainable land. More specifically, this date will mark the introduction of the long-awaited plastic bag tax in England, which means that customers will have to pay a standard fee of £0.05 to use bags when purchasing shopping. This is part of an initiative from both private businesses and public sector groups, as these entities look to reduce their own carbon footprints and drive sustainable waste management practices.
The end of the Plastic bag and other Waste Management Evolutions
This is a long awaited change, especially when you consider that the authorities in Scotland and Wales have already eliminated the need for plastic bags. In England, however, there are currently eight billion bags a year dispensed by supermarkets and retail outlets, many of which are given to customers without charge. Although there are some outlets that have taken an independent, conscious decision to charge for the use of plastic bags, this has previously been done on an individual basis.
The participation of the government in this drive is crucial, as it ensures that the bag tax will become compulsory nationwide. It is also part of a wider, sustainable waste management trend (both in the retail sector and more industrial markets), where equipment such as precious metal recovery incinerators have been designed and adopted to burn various waste materials with minimum fuel consumption. Outlets such as ERG Air Pollution sell these incinerators, which operate according to a two stage process that underpins responsible waste management.
The Last Word: Why we are at the start of a Long Journey
These initiatives underline the importance of sustainability and eco-friendly waste management strategies, while also offering an insight into their precise impact. They also prove that waste management policies are affecting multiple areas of the business world simultaneously, from consumerism and purchasing behaviour to the disposal of heavy-duty, industrial materials.
While there is still work to be done in order to drive positive, long-term change (online food and grocery delivery services still use an abundance of plastic bags and only charge a nominal, flat fee, for example), the partnership between public and private sector groups is finally contributing towards a more positive natural environment. This is something to celebrate and should serve as an effective foundation for further change.
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