plastic bags

'Concerning': Single-use plastic carrier bag sales rise in England

Recycling

'Concerning': Single-use plastic carrier bag sales rise in England

Latest government figures show the number of single-use plastic bags sold last year rose by seven per cent, almost a decade after the plastic bag levy was first introduced

clock 01 August 2025 • 3 min read
Defra hails 98 per cent drop in single-use plastic bag sales since charge introduced

Taxation

Defra hails 98 per cent drop in single-use plastic bag sales since charge introduced

Introduction of 5p plastic bag charge in 2014 has helped avoid seven billion carrier bags from going to waste, according to new data from Defra

clock 01 August 2023 • 4 min read
Behind the world's largest pilot for reusable bags

Recycling

Behind the world's largest pilot for reusable bags

The latest initiative from the Beyond the Bag Consortium will reach three states and more than 150 stores, including mom-and-pop shops and some of the biggest retailers in the US

clock 28 April 2023 • 6 min read
Official: Distribution of supermarket single-use plastic bags down 97 per cent

Policy

Official: Distribution of supermarket single-use plastic bags down 97 per cent

Number of single-use plastic bags supplied by supermarkets has fallen 97 per cent since the 2015 introduction of the plastic bag charge tax

clock 01 August 2022 • 3 min read

Recycling

MPs call for consistent Deposit Return Scheme across UK

Plastic bottles, glass, and cartons should all be recyclable through deposit return schemes across the four UK nations, Environmental Audit Committee argues

clock 21 May 2021 • 3 min read

Waste

Plastic bags: Retailers gear up for 10p charge in England from 21 May

Government confirms higher charge on single-use carrier bags will come into force later this month, covering all businesses in England

clock 07 May 2021 • 3 min read

Waste

Calls for plastic bag ban intensify as Co-op announces it will scrap 'bags for life'

Co-op becomes second supermarket to scrap bags for life as campaigners mount ‘Big Bag Ban’ in wake of government's move to delay raising charge on plastic bags

clock 30 April 2021 • 3 min read

Waste

Morrisons to axe plastic bags from stores nationwide

Supermarket announces it will gradually phase out 'bags for life' from all its stores over the coming year

clock 09 April 2021 • 2 min read

Policy

Ban on plastic straws, stirrers and cotton buds comes into force in England

The long-delayed ban on single-use plastic items in England is aimed at stemming the rising tide of plastic waste entering environment and oceans

clock 01 October 2020 • 3 min read

Waste

Plastic bags: Government confirms all retailers in England to levy 10p charge from April

Defra announces plan to double 5p plastic bag charge and extend levy to all retailers from next year

clock 31 August 2020 • 3 min read