Piaras Kelly PR - Public Relations in Ireland

There are three kinds of lies: lies, damn lies and statistics - Mark Twain (Sorry about the recent repeated use of this quotation, you’ll understand why I used it again by the end of the post.)

Despite the fact that most Irish people moan about our country’s inability to change with the times, we do have two key events to be proud of: the smoking ban and the plastic bag levy.

Ireland now serves as the UK’s shining light when it comes to the plastic bag levy as can be seen in this BBC article (note the numerous references to the country and for once they’re not in connection with alcohol or leprechauns.)

Despite research that shows that a 10p tax on plastic bags would only bring limited environmental benefits to Scotland (see the opening quote), Mike Pringle, the Lib Dem MSP, rightly points out that “The levy in Ireland has been phenomenally successful in reducing unnecessary use of plastic bags.”

It is very hard to change opinions with just words and in this instance Ireland will serve as the perfect PR solution for the UK to introduce the plastic bag levy. A quick survey of consumer behaviour in Ireland would illustrate that and refute the findings of this recent research. Better yet, we’re able to offer a real life example to the United Kingdom with neutral opinions on why they should introduce the levy. Hopefully this time UK politicians will go through with it, instead of a half-hearted attempt like the smoking ban.

Now if the UK can convince its politicians and public to introduce a plastic bag levy on the basis that it is successful in Ireland, then why can’t we convince our politicians to pursue and promote other successful schemes from around the globe with the same effect?

Technorati Tags: BBC, Ireland, Piaras Kelly, PR, Environmental levy