5p shopping bag levy from October 5

If you are going shopping this weekend, make sure you hang on to those plastic bags as a 5p charge is being introduced next month.

In 2013, supermarkets gave out over 8 billion single-use carrier bags across the UK. That is nearly 130 bags per person. This equates to about 57,000 tonnes of single-use carrier bags in total over the year

Discarded plastic bags are a very visible form of littering and can cause injury to marine wildlife. The effect of plastic bags on the environment goes beyond littering. They consume resources, including oil, in their creation. Even when disposed of responsibly, plastic bags can last for long periods of time in landfill sites.

The govermnent is introducing a 5p charge on single-use plastic carrier bags in England from 5 October 2015. There is already a similar 5p charge on single-use bags in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

The Single Use Carrier Bags Charges (England) Order 2015 was made on 19 March 2015.

Officials have published guidance which explains how retailers should comply with the charging scheme. It deals with the definition of bags subject to the 5p charge, exemptions and what reasonable costs can be deducted from the proceeds

The goverment has chosen to exempt small and medium-sized (SME) businesses from the plastic bag charge in England. This will reduce the administrative burden on both start-up and growing businesses at a time when we are supporting new growth in our economy. 

Other exemptions are set out in guidance to retailers. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/carrier-bag-charges-retailers-responsibilities