Dutch shops will be banned from giving away free plastic bags from January 1st next year, junior environment minister Wilma Mansveld has told parliament. The ban is part of a wider effort to reduce the use of plastic bags, the minister said in a briefing. Research has shown 77% of consumers would accept paying for a bag or using alternatives, the minister said. There are, however, two exceptions to the ban: plastic bags can still be used if they are essential for ‘functionality’ and for ‘food safety’, the minister said. She did not give any examples of what this would mean in specific situations.

Read more at DutchNews.nl: Dutch shops to be banned from giving away plastic bags http://www.dutchnews.nl/news/archives/2015/02/dutch-shops-to-be-banned-from-giving-away-plastic-bags/