Environmental protection

Local environmental quality: Carrier bags

Information on this page includes:

What's the problem?

The 13 billion carrier bags which are distributed in the UK each year comprise a comparatively small part of the domestic waste stream. However, they can be particularly visible form of litter when discarded irresponsibly, and their disposable, easily-substituted nature make them a symptom of our 'throwaway society' - and public opinion recognises this. Currently, each adult receives on average nearly 300 disposable bags every year.

The Government’s Waste Strategy for England 2007 set out the Government’s aim that free, single-use carrier bags (both paper and plastic) should become a thing of the past. Behaviour change of this kind is vital if we are to achieve a more sustainable lifestyle.

What have we done so far - voluntary agreement

On 28 February 2007, a voluntary agreement was announced with UK retailers to reduce the overall environmental impact of carrier bags by 25% by the end of 2008. 22 major retailers and six trade associations signed up to the agreement. For further details see the news release.

This agreement covers all types of carrier bags, including both paper and plastic. It gives retailers from across the sector the flexibility to respond in a way which is best suited to their business and the needs of their customers. At the same time it encourages individuals to play their part in minimising environmental impacts and to change their shopping habits to reuse and recycle more.

We welcome the action taken by retailers to cut the environmental impacts of their carrier bags, and especially the leadership shown by several retailers who have taken steps to secure greater changes in public behaviour. However, it is clear that the current voluntary arrangement has not resulted in a substantial reduction in the number of bags distributed, and will not get us close to achieving our goal of phasing out free, single-use carrier bags.

Budget 2008: charges for single-use carrier bags

The Government has, therefore, decided that stronger action needs to be taken. It was announced in the Budget, on 12 March 2008, that the Government will bring forward legislation in the Climate Change Bill to enable us to require retailers to impose a minimum charge on single-use carrier bags, if sufficient progress is not made on a voluntary basis. These powers will come into force in 2009. The Government will consult in the meantime on the operation of the charge and how to ensure that any money raised goes to environmental charities. See the HM Treasury website for Budget announcements...

Key facts and figures

  • More than 13 billion carrier bags are distributed in the UK every year.
  • These account for approximately:
    • 0.3% of the domestic waste stream (HM Treasury's Plastic Bags Tax Assessment in December 2002)
    • 0.1 - 1% of visible litter in the UK (Industry Council for Packaging and the Environment [INCPEN] Visible Litter Study 2004)
    • 2% of total litter on UK beaches (Marine Conservation Society [MCS] annual beach litter survey 2004)
  • Limiting the use of disposable bags is an important way in which each of us can take action, as each adult receives on average nearly 300 every year.
  • 88% of shoppers currently put all their shopping into free carrier bags. On average shoppers take 3-4 bags at every shopping trip.
  • 45% of shoppers claim to have bought a Bag for Life but only 12% use one regularly.

Links

Page last modified: 12 March 2008
Page published: 15 March 2006

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs