Plastic bag use down 70% in Wales since charges began

The number of single-use plastic bags has declined by more than 70% since charges were introduced in Wales, a report reveals on Friday, weeks before a similar scheme is launched in England.

According to the report, which was commissioned by the Labour-led Welsh government, almost three-quarters of consumers say they are supportive of a charge.

Just under 90% of retailers say the single-use carrier bag (SUCB) charge has made either a positive or no impact on their businesses.

The scheme was launched amid suspicion from some shoppers and shopkeepers in 2011. Since then, Welsh shoppers and visitors have become used to arming themselves with “bags for life” before heading for the shops.

Under the scheme, consumers are charged a minimum of 5p for each plastic bag. Between £17m and £22m raised from the sales of the bags has gone to charities and other good causes.

Wales’s natural resources minister Carl Sargeant said the introduction of the charge had led to a “significant shift in consumer behaviour and important benefits to the environment”.

He said: “Wales was the first country in the UK to introduce a SUCB charge in order to reduce consumption and the associated environmental impacts. We wanted the people of Wales to get into the habit of reusing their bags when shopping.

“I am pleased that almost four years on from the introduction of the charge in Wales consumer habits appear to be changing, which is having a positive knock-on effect on the environment as well as raising a significant amount of money for good causes.”

The report on the SUCB charge in Wales comes a month before carrier bag charges begin in England on 5 October 2015. However, in England, only large retailers will have to apply the charge. Small or medium-sized businesses will not have to charge, which has led to criticism from supporters of such schemes.