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Shoppers in England last to face 5p plastic bag charge Plastic bag charge: Shoppers in England have to pay 5p
(about 7 hours later)
Many shoppers in England will have to pay 5p for plastic carrier bags from Monday in a bid to slash the 7.6 billion handed out every year.Many shoppers in England will have to pay 5p for plastic carrier bags from Monday in a bid to slash the 7.6 billion handed out every year.
England is the last part of the UK to start charging for bags.England is the last part of the UK to start charging for bags.
Shoppers at all supermarkets and large shops will be required to use their own bags or be charged for plastic bags.Shoppers at all supermarkets and large shops will be required to use their own bags or be charged for plastic bags.
Environmentalists have welcomed the move, but have called for a more comprehensive scheme that includes all retailers and all types of bags.Environmentalists have welcomed the move, but have called for a more comprehensive scheme that includes all retailers and all types of bags.
Retailers with 250 or more employees must charge at least 5p for the bags they provide for shopping in stores and for deliveries, but smaller shops and paper bags are exempt.Retailers with 250 or more employees must charge at least 5p for the bags they provide for shopping in stores and for deliveries, but smaller shops and paper bags are exempt.
Free bags will still be provided for consumers buying uncooked meat, poultry or fish; prescription medicine; certain fresh produce such as flowers or potatoes; and unwrapped ready-to-eat food such as chips. Free bags will still be provided for consumers buying uncooked meat, poultry or fish, prescription medicine, certain fresh produce such as flowers or potatoes, and unwrapped ready-to-eat food such as chips.
The exemptions mean the move may not be as successful as schemes introduced elsewhere in the UK, campaigners say. The exemptions mean the move may not be as successful as schemes introduced elsewhere in the UK, campaigners argue.
What is being done elsewhere?What is being done elsewhere?
In 2011, Wales started charging 5p per bag and use by customers has dropped 71%.
Scotland and Northern Ireland introduced their charges in 2014 and 2013 respectively and have also seen significant drops in usage - 12.8% in Scotland and 42.6% in Northern Ireland.
All you need to know about the 5p chargeAll you need to know about the 5p charge
The introduction of a more comprehensive charging scheme in Wales has cut the number of bags handed out by retailers by 71% since 2011. The government expects the English scheme to cut use of plastic carrier bags by up to 80% in supermarkets, and by 50% on the High Street.
But the government still expects the English scheme to cut use of plastic carrier bags by up to 80% in supermarkets, and by 50% on the High Street.
It is expected to save £60m in litter clean-up costs as well as generate £730m for good causes over the next decade.It is expected to save £60m in litter clean-up costs as well as generate £730m for good causes over the next decade.
A poll for the Break the Bag Habit coalition of litter charities found 62% of shoppers in England - six percentage points higher than in 2012 - thought it was reasonable to charge 5p for carrier bags. A poll for the Break the Bag Habit coalition of litter charities found 62% of shoppers in England - six percentage points higher than in 2012 - thought it was "reasonable" to charge 5p for carrier bags.
However, some supermarkets say that many customers are not fully aware of the change despite signs and charges already having been introduced in certain stores, including Marks & Spencer and Lidl.However, some supermarkets say that many customers are not fully aware of the change despite signs and charges already having been introduced in certain stores, including Marks & Spencer and Lidl.
Friends of the Earth spokesman David Powell said the new charge would significantly reduce the billions of plastic bags given out by retailers in the UK each year, but should also apply to smaller shops.
'Cleaner country''Cleaner country'
Friends of the Earth spokesman David Powell said the new charge would significantly reduce the billions of plastic bags given out by retailers in the UK each year, but should also apply to smaller shops.
The number of plastic bags given out by major supermarkets in England has risen by 200 million in the past two years to exceed 7.6 billion last year - the equivalent of 140 per person and amounting to 61,000 tonnes in total.The number of plastic bags given out by major supermarkets in England has risen by 200 million in the past two years to exceed 7.6 billion last year - the equivalent of 140 per person and amounting to 61,000 tonnes in total.
Environment minister Rory Stewart said: "Simple changes to our shopping routines, such as taking our own bags with us or using more bags for life, can make a huge difference in reducing the amount of plastic in circulation, meaning we can all enjoy a cleaner, healthier country."Environment minister Rory Stewart said: "Simple changes to our shopping routines, such as taking our own bags with us or using more bags for life, can make a huge difference in reducing the amount of plastic in circulation, meaning we can all enjoy a cleaner, healthier country."
Plastic bags are not biodegradable and can remain in landfill for hundreds of years.Plastic bags are not biodegradable and can remain in landfill for hundreds of years.
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