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Writer's pictureNikki Latham

A decade of change: The bag fee revolution!

It’s hard to believe it’s almost ten years since supermarkets began their journey of charging for bags. So, just how much has transformed in this time? These small charges have sparked a massive shift in consumer behaviour and environmental awareness. Have we become more eco-conscious shoppers? Are reusable bags now an essential part of our lives? We explore the ripple effects of this simple initiative!


It’s been almost a decade since the iconic 5p carrier bag charge made its debut on October 5, 2015! Before this game-changer, shoppers were given an astonishing 7.6 billion single-use bags for free—something that seems unimaginable today.


Launched by Prime Minister David Cameron's Tory government, this initiative aimed to cut down on single-use bags and tackle the mountain of litter they created. Prior to the charge, each person received around 140 free bags annually—a staggering total of about 61,000 tonnes according to Defra.


Single-use carrier bags not only take ages to degrade but also pose serious risks to wildlife and are all too visible as litter in our towns, parks, and countryside.


Research conducted by Defra revealed that the average household had a staggering 40 plastic bags cluttering their space. This was particularly concerning, as 2014 marked the fifth consecutive year of rising plastic bag usage from supermarkets. To combat this issue, the introduction of a new 5p charge aims to motivate shoppers to opt for reusable bags instead.


In many UK stores, these eco-friendly alternatives are commonly referred to as “bags for life,” showcasing a more sustainable choice for consumers. What’s even better? When these bags eventually wear out, you can simply return them to the store and receive a free replacement!


In the 2019/20 period, supermarkets handed out only 564 million single-use carrier bags—a staggering drop of over 7.4 billion compared to 2014, as reported by waste reduction charity Wrapped.


England has seen an incredible plunge in bag usage, with a remarkable 95% decline! But that’s not all; the initiative has also generated £180 million for worthy causes through collected revenue.


On May 21, 2021, the price for single-use carrier bags took a leap to a minimum of 10p. According to Defra, this change is set to create an even greater impact over the next decade. The gradual elimination of single-use plastic bags has positively transformed our oceans—plastic bag sightings on UK beaches have plummeted by an impressive 80% in just ten years! This success story has inspired the Marine Conservation Society (MCS) to encourage other nations to emulate the UK's lead. In their 2023 findings, MCS reported only one plastic bag found every 100 meters of surveyed coastline, down from five per hundred meters back in 2014.


This remarkable decrease can be attributed directly to mandatory charges introduced in 2015!

This news story has been produced by Chesil Radio's News Team, for more information please visit: https://www.chesilradio.com


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