Turning the Tide on Plastic Bags: Past Actions & Progress

Clive Lowther

In March 2002, the Republic of Ireland became the first country to introduce a plastic bag levy aimed at reducing excessive usage, which at the time was approximately 1.2 billion bags annually. This measure achieved a reduction of around 90%, cutting consumption by an estimated one billion bags per year. Inspired by this success, similar initiatives were subsequently introduced across the United Kingdom.

From 21 May 2021, all retailers in England—regardless of size—were legally required to charge a minimum of ten pence per single-use carrier bag, following earlier implementations in Scotland (April 2021), Wales (five pence), and Northern Ireland (twenty-five pence). Retailers are encouraged to donate proceeds to good causes, particularly environmental projects.

The introduction of legislation requiring retailers to apply a charge for plastic carrier bags has led to a measurable reduction in plastic waste across the United Kingdom. The policy has significantly decreased the number of discarded bags found on beaches and in public spaces, while also generating funds that retailers have contributed to environmental and community initiatives. This development demonstrates how consumer incentives and policy alignment can effectively reduce waste and promote sustainable behavior.

Despite the success of reusable “Bags for Life” in reducing single-use plastic waste, significant operational and behavioral challenges remain — particularly within supermarket and convenience store self-checkout environments.