International Review of Waste Management Policy - Department of ...

27.14 Lessons Learned
27.14.1 General Lessons
The plastic bag levy has been deemed a successful policy in Ireland, resulting in an
estimated 90% reduction in plastic bag use in Ireland. Particular effects include:
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� A decrease in the percentage of plastic bags as a littering item, from 5% prior
to implementation of the levy to 0.29% in 2007, while the percentage of paper
bags remained relatively constant at an average of 0.6% of all litter items
nationally. It should be considered, however, that the pre-levy figure of 5% was
an estimate;
� More money in an environmental fund for environmental projects such as
bring banks and new civic amenity sites which are contributing to the much
improved recycling performance; and
� The legislation encourages people to think more about the products and
services they are using and raise an awareness of reuse and recycling in
general.
There are obvious advantages of this levy in terms of the significant decrease in the
percentage of plastic bags as a littering item. What seems less clear is whether the
benefits unrelated to litter, in particular, whether those associated with use of bags,
have been beneficial in net terms. In other words, has there been a waste prevention
effect, and what has been the net environmental impact of the reduction in plastic
bag usage, and the increased use of alternatives? All product levies can be expected
to have ‘output’ and ‘substitution’ effects. In the absence of further analysis, net
effects might be assumed to be positive, but one cannot be absolutely certain of this.
It must be said that the Irish plastic bag levy has been something of an inspiration
worldwide. Many jurisdictions are now seeking to implement similar levies or have
already done so. The rationale for such levies is gaining increasing support from those
concerned with marine pollution. 588
588 See, for example, Ljubomir Jeftic, Seba Sheavly and Ellik Adler (2009) Marine Litter: A Global
Challenge, Report for UNEP, April 2009,
http://www.unep.org/regionalseas/marinelitter/publications/docs/Marine_Litter_A_Global_Challenge.
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International Review of Waste Policy: Annexes