Sweden is set to abolish a tax that has significantly reduced plastic bag consumption in the country over the past four years. Despite concerns about a potential increase in plastic bag usage, the 3 kroner (£0.21) tax introduced in May 2020 has led to a drastic decline in plastic bag usage from an average of 74 bags per person annually to just 17.
The decision to eliminate the tax has sparked criticism from various quarters, including Sweden’s own environmental protection agency, which emphasized the importance of maintaining new behavioral patterns established by the levy.
While Sweden has been at the forefront of reducing plastic bag consumption, concerns remain about the impact of lifting the tax. Industry and consumers are now tasked with ensuring that progress made in reducing plastic waste is not reversed.
The move to abolish the tax has been attributed to right-wing populism and cultural debates surrounding environmental policies. Environmental advocates fear that without this deterrent, there could be a resurgence in plastic bag usage and a setback in efforts to promote sustainable practices.
2024-10-31 07:01:47
Link from www.theguardian.com