Carrier Bag Levy Raises £2.3m

£2.3m has so far been generated to facilitate the delivery of over 250 environmental projects across Northern Ireland following the introduction of the Carrier Bag Levy.

Last year, Environment Minister Mark H Durkan announced the first ever allocation of Carrier Bag Levy monies to the 2014 Challenge Fund, resulting in a final spend of £2.3million. The Challenge Fund aims to promote environmental projects across Northern Ireland.

The Carrier Bag Levy was introduced in Northern Ireland on 8 April 2013 and means retailers must now charge at least 5p for new single use carrier bags.

Speaking at an event in the Beech Hill Hotel in L'Derry, Minister Durkan said: "The 2014 Challenge Fund has been a great success. The people of Northern Ireland delivered more than 250 environmental projects, reinvesting £2.3million of the proceeds of the Carrier Bag Levy back into the communities that contributed to this levy.

"Be it developing community gardens or removing invasive species, to name but two examples, I very much see the Challenge Fund as the 'People’s Fund'. It inspires local communities to improve their environment and encourages and supports new and existing partnerships between local businesses, schools, environmental groups and residents. I would urge groups across the north to continue to search for projects that benefit their local communities."

(IT/MH)