Northern Ireland's Assembly has approved the idea of introducing a 5p charge for single use carrier bags in shops and over the internet. According to a government press release, the regulation was approved by the Assembly on 14 January. It will come into effect on 8 April 2013 and the proceeds of the charge will be forwarded to the Department of Environment. The charge will apply to plastic bags, but also to single use carrier bags made of paper and plant-based material like starch because, "other alternatives to plastic bags can be equally damaging to the environment."
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