Everything You Need to Know About Plastic Bag Charges
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From today, Monday 5th October, the government are imposing a new law which requires shops with over 250 employees to charge for the use of plastic bags. More specifically, you will be charged if you want your shopping in a ‘single-use’ bag, which has handles and is 70 micrometres thick or less. So, this does not apply to bags for life, which usually cost more to buy anyway.
This follows the incentive to reduce the amount of litter produced every year by the wasteful use of plastic. In 2014, 7.6 billion bags were given out by supermarkets – a huge amount. By introducing this measure, the hope is that the number will decrease by 80%, reducing the cost spent clearing up litter by £60 million per year. It definitely seems as though it will work, as Ireland has imposed a similar measure over the past 12 years, supposedly reducing plastic bag use by 95%. Many supermarkets have chosen to give the money they will save to environmental charities, so everything about this scheme leads to a positive result.
Some supermarkets that provide online shopping have offered to deliver without bags, or rather charge a flat rate of 40p for any sized delivery.
So, when you’re next out shopping, you might want to take bags with you in preparation. Or, buy some and save them up for the future. It isn’t too much of a hassle if you’re just aware of the changes that have been put in place.