Waste Strategy factsheets
Disposable bags
Retailers have agreed to work with Government to reduce the environmental impact of single use shopping bags (both paper and plastic) by 25% by the end of 2008. This UK-wide agreement was launched on 28th February, involving Defra, the Welsh Assembly Government, Department of the Environment Northern Ireland, the Scottish Executive and WRAP.
This reduction equates to 3.25 billion fewer bags being used and will save 58,500 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent a year, equivalent to taking 18,000 cars off the road for a year.
Retailers will be reducing the environmental impact of bags by:
- encouraging customers to reduce significantly the number of carrier bags they use;
- reducing the impact of each carrier bag (e.g. by using less material or incorporating recycled content); and
- enabling the recycling of more carrier bags where appropriate.
A number of retailers have already implemented initiatives. However in the future Government envisages that the single-use carrier bag, issued free at point of sale, will become a thing of the past. Government will work with retailers to develop ways of phasing out the use of free disposable bags: this could involve retailers only selling long-life reusable bags, or charging for disposable bags, and using the proceeds to sell long-life reusable bags at a discount.
What is the message for consumers?
- Reduce – Take a bag with you when you go shopping and try not to take free carrier bags if you don’t need them
- Reuse – if you have to take free bags try to reuse them as much as possible whether for shopping or other uses
- Recycle – when a bag reaches the end of its life – recycle it. Many supermarkets now have facilities for recycling plastic bags. Paper bags can be recycled or composted.
Why was this agreement on disposable bags needed?
Disposable bags have a range of negative impacts on the environment. Although they are only a small part of the domestic waste stream, they are very visible and an issue on which individuals can take action themselves.
What happens next?
The Government will build on existing national recycling and re-use campaigns to raise public awareness on bags and work with retailers on joint planning for a campaign to be launched later in 2007. A review of progress towards the 25% target will be completed before the end of 2008 to see what would be required to make further reductions by 2010.
Why have an agreement rather than a tax on plastic bags?
There is no clear evidence that such a tax would be beneficial on either broad environmental or litter grounds. The net overall environmental effect will depend on substitution by other products, including the use of bags made from other materials. The agreement covers all types of carrier bags, not just plastic. Paper bags are derived from a renewable resource, however the manufacturing process is resource intensive. Also paper bags are heavier than plastic bags and therefore require more energy to transport and result in greater emissions.
Key facts and figures
- Around 13 billion carrier bags are issued each year
- Each adult receives on average nearly 300 disposable bags each 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% regularly use one. Bags for life are more likely to be used on medium sized shops than larger shopping trips.
Page last modified:
18 June 2007
Page published: 24 May 2007