LONDON: The British capital could become the world's largest plastic bag-free city within 18 months if local authorities move to ban them or impose a hefty tax on the hundreds of millions that are given away each year by shops.

Chief executives of the 33 London councils have been looking at the proposal after receiving overwhelming public support.

More than 90 per cent of people and organisations asked by London Councils, the body that represents the city authorities, said they wanted a complete ban, or would support a 10-15 pence (23 cents - 34 cents) levy on every bag.

Because the Treasury is unlikely to support any tax, the authorities were expected to press for a law forcing a ban on plastic shopping bags.

A spokesman for London Councils said: "The mood is definitely to do something. The councils do not have the power to ban them by themselves, so it would require a private bill in parliament."

A national ban on smoking in public places followed a similar initiative by the councils in a local authorities bill three years ago.

Traders in 80 mainly small towns round Britain have either introduced a voluntary ban or are considering one as a way to reduce landfill. More than 17 billion plastic bags are handed out by supermarkets a year, causing nearly 60,000 tonnes of plastic to go to landfill sites. The Government has resisted a national ban or a levy, preferring a voluntary agreement with supermarkets to reduce the "overall environmental impact" of carrier bags by 25 per cent by the end of next year.

Cities around the world, from San Francisco to Dacca in Bangladesh, have vastly reduced the number of bags being issued by imposing taxes.

Guardian News & Media