In the year since a 5p charge was introduced on plastic bags in Scotland, 650 million fewer single use carrier bags have been used. The number represents an 80% reduction in the use of single use plastic bags.
Scotland’s Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead today said retailers across Scotland have witnessed a “staggering reduction” in the number of single use carrier bags handed out since the 5p charge came into effect 12 months ago.
It is estimated that around £6.7m has been donated to good causes as a result of the charge.
Lochhead said: “The 5p charge has been a major success with the number of single use bags down by a staggering 650 million, and with nearly £7m raised for good causes. Previously statistics showed that people in Scotland used more than 800 million new single-use carrier bags every single year – more per head than anywhere else in the UK.”
He thanked Scotland for “embracing this policy and showing we’re serious about tackling litter, reducing waste and creating a cleaner, greener environment for everyone to enjoy” and added that it is now becoming second nature to shoppers to reuse their carrier bags. “I am confident that Scotland is going to go from strength to strength in its bid to tidy up our streets and beaches, where litter has been a highly visible problem in the past,” he said.
Iain Gulland, Chief Executive, Zero Waste Scotland, said “With retailers in Scotland reporting a reduction of 80% in the use of single use carrier bags, it’s evident that Scottish shoppers have embraced a new shopping habit. It’s not always easy to change our habits, but Scotland is proving it has this in the bag.
“Many organisations have already agreed to donate money raised by the 5p charge to good causes, by signing up to Scotland’s Carrier Bag Commitment. Other retailers across the country are now being urged to follow suit.”
Nationwide retailers that signed up to Scotland’s Carrier Bag Commitment – an agreement to disclose information on the charge, and donations made, to a central publicly available portal – are reporting that various charities up and down the country have also benefited from funds raised by the charge, with at least £6.7m being donated to good causes.
