The introduction of a charge on single-use supermarket bags has drastically reduced their usage across the UK.
- Since 2015, the distribution of single-use bags in leading supermarkets decreased from 7.6 billion to 133 million annually.
- The average individual in England now purchases just two single-use bags a year from major retailers.
- Countries in the UK adopted the charge at different times, with variations in pricing.
- Environmental advocates praise the initiative but express concern over delays in broader plastic reduction policies.
The implementation of a charge on single-use supermarket bags has resulted in a remarkable decline in their use across the United Kingdom. Data shows a reduction from 7.6 billion bags distributed in 2014 to just 133 million in 2022, according to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). This represents a 98% decrease in single-use plastic bags distributed by the country’s leading supermarkets.
Currently, the average person in England buys only two single-use bags per year from major retailers. This reduction is a direct result of the 5p charge introduced in English supermarkets in 2015, which has since been increased to 10p and extended to all businesses.
Wales was the first country in the UK to implement the charge in 2011, followed by Northern Ireland in 2013 and Scotland in 2014. Each region has adjusted the charge differently, with Northern Ireland increasing it to 25p and Scotland setting it at 10p per bag.
Greenpeace UK’s head of plastic campaigns, Nina Schrank, highlighted the charge’s success, stating, “The success of the plastic bag charge shows that when the government takes real action it gets results and the public gets on board.” Despite this success, Schrank also noted the irony of the government delaying other crucial measures to combat single-use plastic.
The government has postponed its extended producer responsibility (EPR) scheme, initially set to start in April 2024, now delayed until at least October 2025. This delay comes despite warnings from the grocery industry about potential increases in food prices.
The reduction in single-use plastic bag usage underscores the effectiveness of policy-driven environmental initiatives.
