The United Kingdom government has decided to raise the price of the single-use plastic bags from April 2021. The raise price will be 10p, doubled than the current price of 5p, and this decision will be extended further to all England’s retailers, also received positive response from the majority of respondents on the following public consultation. This is the part of the government effort to prevent plastic waste to pollute more in the environment and in the ocean.
The previous charges within the Single Use Carrier Bags Charges (England) Order 2015, imposed in October 2015, requires retail businesses with over 250 employees to charge a 5p at the minimum for single-use carrier bags. Retailers in Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland including smaller shops also charge around the same rate. Despite all, the regulations don't cover micro, small and medium sized enterprises (MSMEs). Although the current order has been effective in reducing single use plastics bags to as much as 95% in the big retailers, raising over £180 million for good cause, many of circulating single-use bags are contributed by MSMEs.
George Eustice, the Environment Secretary, said that the destructive impact of plastic bags on the oceans and its marine wildlife, and the sentiments is the reason why the bold and ambitious action was taken to tackle the issue. As the UK has already become a world-leader in the global effort, the carrier bag charge movement has been hugely successful in curbing billions of plastic bags from circulting. But the idea is to go further by extending the order to all retailers so further unnecessary waste will be continued to cut and build back greener, he added. He also hopes that the country’s track record will inspire many more countries to follow suit, so the plastic waste problem can be tackled together and achieve lasting change. The country has committed to make all the plastic packaging on the market will be reusable, recyclable, or compostable by 2025 and eliminate all avoidable plastic waste by 2042.
The Government of Wales had enhanced its commitment on sustainability with plans to ban single use plastic products including stirrers, straws, balloon sticks, cotton buds, cutlery, plates, also food and drinks containers made of expanded polystyrene and products made from oxo-degradable plastic in July 2020.
