To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the environmental impact of disposable plastic bags; and what support he is giving to research into bio-degradable alternatives. (81156)

Plastic carrier bags make up 0.3 per cent. of the domestic waste stream and between 0.1 per cent. and 1 per cent. of visible litter. These figures are derived from municipal waste statistics and a visible litter survey conducted by INCPEN in 2004.

The Environment Agency is currently carrying out a study to consider the environmental impacts of a range of carrier bags (including disposable plastic carrier bags and bio-degradable alternatives) over their entire life-cycle, from raw material extraction through to product manufacture, use and final disposal. The study is due to report by the end of 2006.

The National Non-Food Crops Centre has also started work on Life Cycle Analysis comparison of plastic, oxodegradable and biodegradable bags, which will be available by March 2007. They have established a Thematic Working Group on Biopolymers which aims to promote and facilitate the expansion of this sector. Biopolymers are derived from renewable sources and can be used in a range of products including bags, which helps to develop a sustainable supply chain.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment he has made of the impact on the environment of the (a) production and (b) use of plastic bags; and if he will make a statement. (82363)

[holding answer 4 July 2006]: Plastic carrier bags make up 0.3 per cent. of the domestic waste stream and between 0.1 per cent. and 1 per cent. of visible litter. These figures are derived from municipal waste statistics and a visible litter survey conducted by the Industry Council for Packaging and the Environment (INCPEN) in 2004.

DEFRA is working closely with the Waste and Resources Action programme (WRAP) and the industry to promote re-usable bags and encourage other sustainable schemes that will reduce the number of plastic bags produced and discarded.

The Environment Agency is currently carrying out a study to consider the environmental impacts of a range of carrier bags (including disposable plastic carrier bags and bio-degradable alternatives) over their entire life-cycle, from raw material extraction through to product manufacture, use and final disposal. The study is due to report by the end of 2006.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what recent discussions he has had with supermarkets about the production and use of plastic bags; and if he will make a statement; (82364)

DEFRA, the Welsh Assembly Government and the Scottish Executive have asked the Waste and Resources Action programme (WRAP) to carry out research on voluntary ways of reducing the number of free carrier bags taken by consumers from shops and supermarkets.

WRAP has recently conducted a pilot “Choose to Reuse” campaign to encourage consumers to reuse bags, whether they choose to purchase a “Bag for Life” made available through retailer schemes, or to bring their own bag with them each time they shop. The campaign was set up with a particular emphasis on supermarket shopping since the vast majority of disposable free carrier bags are dispensed from these stores, and the frequency of visits enabled a more focused campaign with the aim of having the greatest impact on the consumer.

The pilots took place in two areas—Edinburgh and Bristol—running from mid-September until the end of November 2005. Retailers were invited to join in the campaign by WRAP and also encouraged by the British Retail Consortium, Scottish Retail Consortium and the Scottish Executive (in Edinburgh). The supermarket chains that decided to take part included ASDA, Tesco, Somerfield, Co-op, Scotmid and Waitrose.

The results will be published soon, and we will then look at how this work can be developed further.