Plastic bag sales down 90 per cent in England after 5p charge

Supermarkets have found an unexpected triumph in the bagging area – with sales of plastic carrier bags down 90% since the introduction of a 5p charge in England. Government figures showed shoppers in England now buy an average of just 10 plastic bags a year, compared to 140 five years ago.

Environmental campaigners have welcomed the success, but there is still much more to be done.