The British don’t buy plastic bags since they have to pay for it

By: Trademagazin Date: 2023. 08. 02. 11:23

The introduction of charges for single-use plastic bags in major UK supermarkets, including Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Asda, and Morrisons, has led to a significant decrease in the use of these bags.

Previously, these plastic bags were provided free of charge, but now customers are charged five pence per bag. As a result of this measure, the demand for single-use plastic bags has dramatically decreased, with the average consumer purchasing only two bags per year, compared to 140 bags before the introduction of the charge, according to new data from the UK Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs (Defra), as reported by Sustainability/Beat.

In the 2022/23 season, the leading British supermarkets sold 133 million single-use plastic bags, compared to 197 million bags in the 2021/22 season, indicating a significant reduction in their usage since 2014, when 7.6 billion plastic bags were sold.

The five pence charge was initially introduced in supermarkets in 2015 and was raised to ten pence in 2021, being extended to all stores. This measure has effectively prevented billions of single-use bags from littering the environment or ending up in landfills, while also contributing millions of pounds to charitable causes, as stated by Rebecca Pow, the Environmental Minister.

The UK government remains committed to taking further action against plastic pollution at its source. In October, additional bans on single-use products will come into effect, and the deposit return scheme will be implemented to reduce waste and increase recycling rates, added the Minister.

The British Retail Consortium, the trade association for retailers, praised the cooperation between retailers and the government in implementing the charge on single-use bags, resulting in a 98 percent reduction in their use among major food retailers. The government is also planning additional measures through environmental legislation, including introducing a deposit return system for beverage containers and plans for easier recycling collection.

Furthermore, the use of single-use plastics, such as cutlery, balloon sticks, and food containers, will be banned in October 2023 to further combat plastic pollution and waste.