Young was started out working as an accountant before he turned into a successful businessman who travelled the globe to build his company (Simpac) into a significant UK player in the sourcing and supply of bags – from paper potato sacks to the humble supermarket carrier.
He also played a huge role in supporting the UK plastic bags industry in calling for carrier bag charges to be abandoned.
In a statement, Pafa said: "That the Scottish Parliament abandoned its first attempts to introduce a bag tax in 2006 is largely due to Neil's centre stage performances at public enquiries, evidence hearings and parliamentary debates. The recent reintroduction of another carrier bag tax proposal in Scotland was not just a disappointment to Neil but a further call to arms and he was preparing input even in his last few days."
Pafa chief executive Barry Turner said: "Neil was one of the few industry figures to see the importance of speaking out when politicians embarked on inappropriate and disproportionate policy instruments that affected our industry.
"I first got to know Neil when a Scottish MP proposed a charge on carrier bags over ten years ago. I soon learned I could depend on Neil to faultlessly critique impact assessments due to his highly analytical mind. In defence of our industry and standing up for what was right – the name Rottweiler springs to mind."
David Tyson, former chief executive of Pafa, added: ?"You meet many types of people in business life, but during my time as chief executive at Pafa I can without question say that Neil was exceptional in his commitment, straight forwardness and honesty, even during his serious illness, his sheer work ethic?never floundered.
"He managed to temper his complete passion for what was right?by deflecting any hostility through one of?the sharpest and reactionary senses of humour one could find."
'Sense of humour'
Sandy Bole, managing director Retail Products at Simpac, said: "Neil was a close friend and business colleague for many years. He was a passionate campaigner on many causes and particularly ones he felt were simply 'unjust'.
"He was a courageous business man with the highest of integrity. He retired from Simpac over three years ago and was just starting his retirement when he was diagnosed with cancer. I can vouch for the fact that, to the end, he retained his great sense of humour and displayed the courage that many of us can only dream of faced with the sands of our own mortality ebbing away."
Bill MacDonald, (retired)?formerly Baggit, said: "It was following a 'call to arms' meeting?in Glasgow some ten years ago that?I first met and subsequently became a friend of?James Neil Young. The purpose of this?meeting being to defend our industry against?the aspirations of a certain politician who thought it would be a good idea to introduce a charge for carrier bags.?Being fiercely proud of his Scottish heritage, Neil, as he was known, thought that this was, as he vehemently put it, 'just a crazy idea' and 'absolute madness',?not only for Scotland's environment?but for the UK as well,?and he was never slow to let people know his views on the subject.
"Held in high esteem?by his business?colleagues he was also well respected by his staff where his door was always open to discuss their personal problems.
"Neil also had a great sense of humour with?his weekly 'Friday Fun' emails eagerly awaited and that humour was evident early on in our friendship when I informed him that, following a meeting we had in Holyrood,?we were known in some sections of those?corridors of power?as Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid."
Cromwell Polythene managing director James Lee said: "With his passing, the industry has lost a major player – and a practitioner and advocate for common sense – he will be missed."
