plastic bags
There has been a huge drop from the 7.6bn plastic bags sold by the major supermarkets in England in 2014
The 10p charge introduced in 2021 and extended to all businesses helped bring the number of bags used down by more than 20% over the last year
The change aims to further reduce the volume of plastic waste generated from the plastic bag sales
The move is expected to come into effect from 1st April
The government has confirmed small retailers that employ 250 people or less will no longer be exempt from the levy
Latest figures reveal Asda, Marks and Spencer, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s, The Co-operative Group, Tesco and Waitrose sold 322m less bags last year
Up to 24 organisations will share the £2m grant generated from the carrier bag levy
The average person in England now buys only 10 bags a year compared with 140 bags in 2014 before the charge was introduced
It is inviting applications from charities, academic institutions, social enterprises, schools and colleges until 24th January
The new alternatives can be reused as food waste caddy liners