Government plans to extend plastic bag charges

2015 marked the year that the first official charge to plastic bag was initiated to large retailers. Now four years later the Government is looking to extend this charge to all retailers across the UK.

So why was there a charge placed on plastic bags?

In 2014, according to Gov.uk, over 7.6 billion single-use plastic bags were given to customers by major supermarkets across the UK. This breaks down to around 140 plastic bags per person. In light of this, the scheme of charging for plastic bags was implemented to reduce the use of single-use plastic bags and littering as a secondary issue from plastic bags.

Since the implementation in 2015, the number of plastic bags has gone down by more than 80% across the UK. The Government has also estimated that in light of the evidence, between 2019 and 2029, the UK economy will benefit from over £780 million, with &730 million raised for good causes, £60 million savings in litter clean-up costs and carbon savings of £13 million.

The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS') chief executive James Lowman has welcomed the Government's plan for extending the charge.

"This has been shown to be highly effective at reducing waste, whilst also raising money for local, national and environmental charities. Around half of small shops in England already charge for plastic bags voluntarily, with wider support for a mandatory charge".

Watch the ACS' animation on the benefits of charging for single use plastic bags here.

If you haven't already voluntarily charged for plastic bags, consider the benefits this would bestow on the environment and what difference you can make.
Share your support for the Government's 2019 plan across social media to help your community and the ones around you.

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