Plastic, but no fantastic saving

Sir, – I was interested to read the article “Fifers ditch plastic bags for compostable carriers” (Courier, June 16).

It is great to see Fife businesses in the Cardenden area taking part in a trial of compostable bags.

We must, where possible, protect our environment and look for alternatives to reduce the amount of plastic packaging used on products.

A question that needs to be asked is “will the people of Cardenden and any other area where this is trialled still be expected to pay the 5p per bag tax?”

The 5p tax was billed at reducing our use of plastic bags.

However, if the bags now provided are nonplastic and compostable then there is no justification in charging the 5p anymore.

Any shop that was still charging 5p a bag while handing out compostable non-plastic bags in my view would be stealing from their customers.

The Scottish Government may now have to review the legislation to ensure shops are not profiteering and that the 5p does not just become a general tax after serving the initial purpose.

Alastair Macintyre. 18 Webster Place, Rosyth. proposed. This would represent yet another burden on businesses or, if it was passed on, to their employees.

Scottish council leaders are already jumping with joy at the thought of millions of pounds worth of more income to spend. Here is a thought. Since one of the aims of this idea is to reduce the use of private cars in urban areas why not run a test programme with councils?

All 32 councils in Scotland have exclusive car parks for the use of senior staff (reserved) and also for employees.

Start charging all employees for parking and then you would have statistics before hammering businesses which drive the economy.

Dundee council would be a good start.

Clark Cross.

138 Springfield Road. Linlithgow.