5p Tax/Charge for every pastic bag in wales, from 1st October 2011

From next Saturday (October 1st 2011) welsh shoppers will be subject to tax/charge of 5p for each plastic shopping bag. The tax/charge is being introduced by the Welsh Assembly who believe it will reduce the number of plastic bags sent to landfill sites.

There are currently 31 landfill sites in wales registered with HM Revenue & Customs.

Shops that refuse to charge their customers the 5p per bag could face penalties of up to £5,000 as they will be breaking the law.

All stores with more than 10 employees will also need to keep a record of the charges and account for how the money is spent. The money can be donated to a charity that the store chooses.