Good result from schools on carrier bags says AM

Sticking to her pledge to consult with schools in her constituency about Government plans to charge for single-use plastic carrier bags, Wrexham's Assembly Member, Lesley Griffiths, has met with pupils at Ysgol Heulfan in Gwersyllt.

The AM attended the school's assembly to discuss Welsh Assembly Government proposals to introduce a charge on single use carrier bags in Wales.

The plan to charge for bags is currently out to public consultation and had made to address the impact plastic bags are having on the Welsh environment and the public purse.

It is estimated that 480 million plastic bags are used in Wales each year and it takes between 500 and 1,000 years for the bags to degrade.

It is also estimated that it costs Welsh local authorities an estimated £1million to clean up plastic bags that litter our streets and roadsides.

The Welsh Government proposals are based on the success achieved in the Republic of Ireland, where over a 90 per cent reduction in the amount of single use plastic bags has been witnessed since the introduction of a charge in 2002.

Commenting following her visit to the school, Lesley Griffiths said:

"I pledged to consult with schools on the Government's proposal to introduce a charge on carrier bags because I am always amazed at just how knowlegeable and concerned our children are when it comes to the environment.

"When I visit schools in Wrexham, one of the main issues they raise with me, is the affect that single-use plastic bags have on the environment. That is why I have asked schools to make their views known as part of the Government's consultation and why I visited Ysgol Heulfan in Gwersyllt.

"I think the Environment Minister, Jane Davidson, can expect a very good response from schools in Wrexham on her proposals!"