The single-use carrier bag charge, which has seen a 95% cut in
plastic bag sales in major supermarkets since 2015, will be
increased from 5p to 10 and extended to all businesses in England
from 21 May to help drive down sales further.
As a result of the carrier bag charge, the average person
in England now buys just four single-use carrier bags a year from
the main supermarkets, compared with 140 in 2014. By extending
the charge to all retailers, it is expected that the use of
single-use carrier bags will decrease by 70-80% in small and
medium-sized businesses.
Small businesses across the country are being urged to
prepare themselves for the changes ahead of them coming into
force on 21 May. It comes as new research
finds the charge is supported overwhelmingly by the public – with
95% of people in England acknowledging the wide-ranging benefits
to the environment so far.
Environment Minister said:
“The introduction of the 5p charge has been a phenomenal
success, driving down sales of harmful plastic bags in
supermarkets by a remarkable 95%.
“We know we must go further to protect our natural
environment and oceans, which is why we are now extending this
charge to all businesses.
“Over the next couple of weeks I urge all retailers of all
sizes to make sure they are ready for the changes, as we work
together to build back greener and strengthen our world-leading
action to combat the scourge of plastic waste.”
Association of Convenience Stores chief executive
James Lowman said:
“We strongly welcome the inclusion of local shops and other
small businesses into the successful plastic bag charging scheme,
which not only helps the environment, but is also a great way for
retailers to raise money for local and national
charities.”
A new report
published today from charity WRAP finds a shift in attitude
towards plastic bags since the charge was first brought
in.
Through a survey of over 2,000 adults in England, it was
revealed:
- Close to seven in ten (69%) were either ‘strongly’ or
‘slightly’ in favour of the charge when it was first introduced,
and that has increased now to 73%.
- Customers are changing habits to use long-life bags made from
more sustainable and environmentally-friendly materials. Of those
surveyed, two in three (67%) said they used a ‘bag-for-life’ -
either fabric or more durable plastic - to take their shopping
home for a large food shop in store, with only 14% using a
single-use carrier bag.
- Only one in four (26%) purchase bags from the till when doing
food shops – including 4% who say they do this ‘always’. This
represents a significant fall since 2014 before the charge was
introduced, when over twice as many (57%) reported taking plastic
carrier bags from the till. Meanwhile, over half (54%) say they
take less bags from the till.
- Almost half (49%) of 18-34s says they purchase carrier bags
at the till at least sometimes, compared to just over one in ten
(11%) of those aged 55+.
Since the introduction of the charge, retailers have
donated over £150 million to good causes in charity,
volunteering, environment and health sectors.
The move will help the UK build back better and greener
from the pandemic, and boost our global leadership in tackling
climate change and plastic pollution. As hosts of COP26 this
year, President of the G7 and a key player in the CBD COP15, we
are leading the international climate change agenda.
In its war against plastic pollution, the Government has
already banned microbeads in
rinse-off personal care products and prohibited the supply
of plastic straws, stirrers and cotton buds in
England. A world-leading plastic
packaging tax will be introduced from April 2022
for products which do not have at least 30% recycled content,
while the Government is
currently consulting on landmark reforms which
will introduce a deposit return scheme for drinks containers and
Extended Producer Responsibility for packaging.
ENDS
