More And More Supermarkets Are Now Charging For Plastic Carrier Bags

Across the world supermarkets and other retailers are under pressure to cut the use of plastic carrier bags. As a result more and more supermarkets are charging for ordinary plastic carrier bags, and most charge for re-usable plastic ‘Bags For Life’. The pressure is coming from governments as well as from environmental campaigners.

Charging For Plastic Carrier Bags Around The World

The Republic of Ireland became the first country to put a levy on nearly all ordinary plastic bags. Introduced in 2002, the levy did cut the use by up to 90%, though there has been slippage since then. Currently supermarkets and all other retailers in the Republic of Ireland have to charge at least €0.22 per plastic bag.

In 2011 Wales followed suit with a 5p per bag charge.

Then in April 2013, Northern Ireland, too, introduced a 5p minimum levy on every ordinary plastic bag, though in Northern Ireland this also applies to the larger paper bags.

There are exemptions, for example for wrapping fish or for carrying medicines. Scotland, too, is considering a similar plastic bag tax.

Other European countries are making supermarkets and shops charge for plastic carrier bags, though the terms of their tax vary. Denmark first introduced a general tax on plastic bag manufacture in 1994, and then followed Ireland with a plastic bag levy in the shops in 2003. Bulgaria, too, has a levy, and Belgium enforces a waste tax on plastic bags. Italy is moving to ban all plastic bags.

In the US there is no Federal law on taxing plastic carrier bags, but retail outlets in many cities have to make a charge. Australia and New Zealand are moving in the same direction.

South Africa has an operational plastic carrier bag levy for all supermarkets and shopping outlets.
In 2008 China introduced a ban on ordinary plastic bag use by shops. China was using a staggering 3 billion plastic bags every day, though many of these were in manufacturing industries. Nevertheless, despite enforcement difficulties, China estimates it has cut plastic bag consumption by up to 70 billion bags per year. That’s a lot of plastic!

More and more countries, cities and states are looking to either ban plastic carrier bags or put a tax on them in the supermarket and the shop. It’s time to look for alternatives.

What Are The Alternatives To Plastic Carrier Bags?

For once-only purchases, a paper carrier bag may make perfect sense. They are reusable, recyclable and naturally biodegradable. A smart luxury laminated carrier bag or kraft paper carrier bag from shoppingbagsdirect could be just the answer.

Shopping bags are a great long-term alternative to plastic carrier bags. A quality cotton shopping bag from shoppingbagsdirect will both save your customer money and save the use of a lot of plastic.
Hard-wearing and strong, a jute shopping bag is a great buy both for your business and for your customer. A customised jute shopping bag from shoppingbagsdirect will replace countless plastic carrier bags. Pollution from plastic will be cut, and you and your customer will both benefit. Shopping bags are a win-win product.