The Fed creates posters to help retailers prepare for carrier bag price hike

The Federation of Independent Retailers has created a series of posters for its members in Northern Ireland to display in their shops to prepare customers for the forthcoming price hike on carrier bags.

The posters advise that from April 1 2022 carrier bags will cost 25p.  They can be downloaded from the Fed’s website at www.thefedonline.com.

The increase to the carrier bag levy was announced by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) in November.  It said that doing so would further protect the environment and encourage consumers to reuse their carrier bags.

The Fed challenged the drastic increase when advised by environment minister Edwin Poots MLA in November 2021. DAERA was warned that while the increase was beneficial from an environmental standpoint, it would impact on independent retailers at a time of great financial uncertainty.carrier bag levy

25p

Commenting on the increase, former Fed Northern Ireland president Judith Mercer said: “From an environmental standpoint, it makes sense.  We want there to be less plastic, but this price increase is a big jump.”