Drop in plastic bags littering British seas linked to introduction of 5p charge

clock • 2 min read

Scientists find an estimated 30 per cent drop in plastic bags on the seabed in the same timeframe as charges were introduced in European countries

A big drop in plastic bags found in the seas around Britain has been credited to the introduction of charges for plastic bags across Europe. Ireland and Denmark were the first two countries to bring...

To continue reading this article...

Join BusinessGreen

In just a few clicks you can start your free BusinessGreen Lite membership for 12 months, providing you access to:

  • Three complimentary articles per month covering the latest real-time news, analysis, and opinion from Europe’s leading source of information on the Green economy and business
  • Receive important and breaking news stories via our daily news alert
  • Our weekly newsletter with the best of the week’s green business news and analysis

Join now

 

Already a BusinessGreen member?

Login

More on Waste

Government hands Environment Agency 'police-like powers' to tackle waste crime

Government hands Environment Agency 'police-like powers' to tackle waste crime

Defra moves to establish zero-tolerance policy on illegal waste, as government threatens to confiscate fly tippers' driving licenses

Stuart Stone
clock 16 March 2026 • 4 min read
WRAP: Food waste has already cost the average UK family almost £200 this year

WRAP: Food waste has already cost the average UK family almost £200 this year

New survey reveals majority of UK public believe food waste is inevitable and there is little they can do about it, despite rising costs

Michael Holder
clock 09 March 2026 • 3 min read
Councils urge government to review fly tipping sentencing

Councils urge government to review fly tipping sentencing

Local Government Association argues fly tipping sentencing is failing to reflect the seriousness of the offence, the environmental damage it causes, and the costs faced by councils

clock 06 March 2026 • 2 min read