Bags of opportunity as charge increases

Today the minimum price of a single use carrier bag doubles from 5p to 10p in efforts to help reduce plastic waste.

Prior to the charge, introduced in 2014, 800 million single use carrier bags were issued annually in Scotland - this fell by 80% in the first year.

Barry Fisher, our Chief Executive commented; “Fewer single use carrier bags is great news for our environment.  Since 2014 the single use carrier bag charge has significantly helped reduce the number of bags being given out by retailers - saving thousands of tonnes of single use plastic realising a significant net carbon saving and reducing the chances of these items becoming littered.   However, there is still an opportunity to challenge individual behaviours and improve consumer awareness which the doubling of the charge will help do.

“We’ve been fortunate to develop positive partnerships with a range of well-known high street retailers, and a number of small individual store owners, who understand their responsibilities in helping to tackle Scotland’s environmental issues.”

Find out more about those who donate their bag charge to us, and how you can ask the retailers you work for, with and shop in to do so too.  Every little bit of financial support enables us to widen and strengthen our charitable work to combat climate change, tackle litter and waste, protect and enhance the places we love.