Hi °C | Lo °C OSCAr-winning actor Jeremy Irons has hailed the plastic bag tax and called on the British government to bring in the same charge.
The actor, pictured, who owns Kilcoe Castle near Ballydehob, Co Cork, is campaigning for a reduction in plastic waste. He said Ireland shows it is possible "to change people's habits".
Mr Irons pointed out the 15c plastic bag tax reduced the number of bags produced by 92pc, and the tax raised €12m for recycling facilities.
"It has made a difference in Ireland," he said on Channel 4 News.
He also dismissed a claim from a lobbyist for the British plastic industry that people in this country bring "bin liners" to the shops. "They go with reusable bags," he said.
Irons was in Brussels yesterday backing a move to reduce plastic waste in Europe.
Irish Independent
