SHOPPERS have just over three weeks before they will have to pay a mandatory charge for carrier bags in a move designed to tackle litter and reduce waste.

Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead began a public awareness drive at the Gyle shopping centre in Edinburgh ahead of the introduction of the charge on Monday, October 20.

From that date it will cost at least 5p for each single-use carrier bag given out to shoppers regardless of where they shop, from supermarkets to corner shops and takeaways to high street retailers.

The proceeds will then be given to good causes.

Mr Lochhead said: "In Scotland we use over 800 million new single-use carrier bags every year - more per head than any-where else in the UK.

"That is something we want to change. We want people to stop and think about whether they really need another bag that could end up as litter.

"Instead, we want people to get into the habit of reusing bags. The message of this campaign is that if we all remember our bags when we head out to the high street, the supermarket or the corner shop, it's better for the environment and we'll save money."

Zero Waste Scotland has now launched the Carrier Bag Commitment to recognise retailers who donate the money to good causes.

The body has secured the support of the Scottish Seabird Centre, McDonald's, Marks and Spencer, the Co-operative Group, Holland and Barrett, Scotmid and RS Components.

Derek Robertson, Keep Scotland Beautiful chief executive, said: "All the evidence from similar initiatives in Wales and Northern Ireland points to significant reductions in bag use.

"That has to be good news for the cause of greater sustainability.

"The introduction of this charge, in only three weeks, will represent a major step forward towards a zero-waste future for Scotland."