The usage of plastic bags has risen again!
In the latest study of plastic bag usage by UK supermarkets, a staggering 8 billion plastic bags were used in 2013. This is an increase for the fourth year running, as the finishing total for the year of 2013 was a massive 8.3 billion bags.
The ever rising consumption of plastic bags comes ahead of a charge that is soon to be introduced throughout England, in order to reduce the amount of rising usage of the items.
Data published in the study shows an increase of 3% in the number of bags that were given away by supermarkets throughout 2012/13. The study was conducted by the Government’s Waste Programme. The British Retail Consortium, the association behind the big retailers, looked into the increase, stating that it was merely a “small” boost to the numbers, indicating that the way we shop could be to blame. They said that British shoppers are now more frequent in the way they buy products, as we ‘top up’ our shopping over the weeks.
You should know though, that whilst 8.3 billion bags may seem a lot, it’s a massive reduction from the whopping 12 billion plastic bags used by shoppers in 2006. This number led to a massive reduction in figures for several years afterwards, with an agreement coming from retailers to cut their amount of bags used. A number of campaigns in 2006 led to the reduction of bags used, as a number of towns throughout England went plastic bag free.
The bag charge due to come into force in England next year has been criticised by MPs for an exemption that means small shops will not have to apply the 5p charge.
The plastic bag charge is set to come into play in England in 2015, but this has been criticised by a number of MPs, besides the amount of small shops that won’t have to imply a 5p charge on their bags used.
So, what do you think of the new rule?
Is it a good idea in order to lower the amount of plastic bags used?