PACKAGING - 23.09.2020

Hike in plastic bag charge

10p charge? In 2019 a public consultation found that the majority of shoppers backed the idea of an increased charge in order to reduce the number of plastic bags used by consumers.

The future. From April 2021 the plastic carrier bag charge will double to 10p. This will occur across all retailers in England, even those with fewer than 250 staff, that had previously dodged the charge.

Bags for life. Although sales of single use bags dropped to 1.2 billion in the year after the 5p charge came in, unfortunately, “bags for life” were selling like hot cakes. There was a concern that consumers where treating these thicker plastic bags as single use items, undermining much of the environmental benefit of the 5p scheme.

Note. There was a suspension of the requirement to levy the charge during the pandemic but this ended on 21 September 2020.

Tip. The public seems to be in favour of charges to reduce the use of single-use plastics. Keep a watch on developments and start dates, as many such initiatives are being delayed as a result of coronavirus.

In England, the charge for plastic carrier bags is due to increase to 10p in April 2021 and small retailers will no longer be exempt. However, this could be delayed as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

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