This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-34438030
The article has changed 11 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Plastic bag charge: Shoppers in England have to pay 5p | Plastic bag charge: Shoppers in England have to pay 5p |
| (35 minutes 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. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 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 argue. | 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? |
| All you need to know about the 5p charge | All you need to know about the 5p charge |
| 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. |
| 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. It is expected to save £60m in litter clean-up costs as well as generate £730m for good causes over the next decade. | 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. It is expected to save £60m in litter clean-up costs as well as generate £730m for good causes over the next decade. |
| But Alice Ellison, of the British Retail Consortium, said the charge sent out a "confusing, complex message" to customers. | But Alice Ellison, of the British Retail Consortium, said the charge sent out a "confusing, complex message" to customers. |
| She said England should have adopted the same policy as the rest of the UK - where all shops, not just big stores, charge customers for all types of disposable bag, including paper ones. | She said England should have adopted the same policy as the rest of the UK - where all shops, not just big stores, charge customers for all types of disposable bag, including paper ones. |
| "The reason why it [the levy] has been so effective in the other UK nations is because it is a very simple, clear message to give to customers," she told BBC Radio 4's Today programme. | "The reason why it [the levy] has been so effective in the other UK nations is because it is a very simple, clear message to give to customers," she told BBC Radio 4's Today programme. |
| 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. | 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." |
| Have you been out shopping today? What difference has this change made? Will it change the way you shop? You can email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your comments. | Have you been out shopping today? What difference has this change made? Will it change the way you shop? You can email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your comments. |
| Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: | Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: |
| Or use the form below | Or use the form below |