New Government Plastic Bag Legislation

From the 5th October, larger retailers must charge at least 5p for new single use carrier bags. Please remember to take a re-useable bag with you to avoid getting caught out.

It is hoped the levy will cut the 7.6bn bags given to shoppers at major supermarkets every year, and retailers are expected to spend the money raised from the charge on good causes.

England is the last part of the UK to start charging for plastic bags. The number of plastic bags given out by seven major supermarkets in England rose by 200 million in 2014 to exceed 7.6 billion – the equivalent of 140 per person and amounting to 61,000 tonnes in total.