The European Commission has reaffirmed its commitment to cut back the use of plastic carrier bags and has devised an online survey asking citizens, civil society and the relevant authorities in the EU 27 member states for their ideas. Media sources report that there are even considerations to ban plastic carrier bags altogether.

As part of the questionnaire, which can be filled out by anyone interested until 9 August 2011, the Commission is looking for answers to the questions of whether a plastic bag tax would be feasible and how consumers can be pointed towards biologically degradable packaging options.

EU data indicate that the average citizen consumes about 500 plastic carrier bags each year, most of which are used just once. "Fifty years ago, the single-use plastic bag was almost unheard of – now we use them for a few minutes and they pollute our environment for decades," said European environment commissioner Janez Potocnik. “But social attitudes are evolving and there is a widespread desire for change. That's why we are looking at all the options, including a Europe-wide ban on plastic carrier bags. We need the views of as many people as possible to complement our scientific analyzes and help drive policy on this issue, which is suffocating our environment," he continued.

EU member state Italy was widely criticised when it instituted a ban on non-degradable plastic bags on 1 January 2011 – see Plasteurope.com of 05.02.2011.