The public will be urged to ”shop a shopkeeper” under Scottish Government plans to introduce a minimum 5p ”bag tax”.
Shoppers would be asked to report retail outlets that hand out free carrier bags so the authorities can levy fines on the culprits.
More details of the carrier bag charge were unveiled on Wednesday as part of the Scottish Government’s Safeguarding Scotland’s Resources consultation.
Proceeds from the charge would go to charity, although retailers would be able to claw back some of the money to modify their systems in order to record the number of bags dispensed, administration costs and donations.
The Government says it expects the charge will require ”little enforcement input from local authorities” because retailers would be expected to ”act responsibly”.
The consultation aims to cut household and business waste by 5% by 2015 and 15% by 2025, enough to fill 40,000 refuse trucks.
As much as £1.4 billion per year could be saved if businesses used raw materials more efficiently and cut waste.
Also at the consultation launch a new lightweight bottle of The Famous Grouse was unveiled by its maker Edrington, which is expected to save the firm 587 tonnes of glass a year.
Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead said: ”This programme is about helping Scottish businesses become more competitive, about helping Scottish households cut costs and about helping to preserve our environment for ourselves and for future generations.
”This new Famous Grouse bottle is a great example of how businesses can be more environmentally friendly whilst retaining their high standards.”