5p charge on plastic carrier bags to come into force soon

Shoppers will soon have to pay a 5p charge for plastic carrier bags.
Plastic carrier bags.Plastic carrier bags.
Plastic carrier bags.

The charge, which will only apply to supermarkets and larger stores, will come into force on Monday, October 5.

The legislation is intended to cut back on the number of plastic bags littering streets or ending up in landfill sites.

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A spokesman for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said: “The effect of plastic bags on the environment goes beyond littering.

“They consume resources, including oil, in their creation and even when disposed of responsibly the bags can last for long periods of time in landfill sites.

“A 5p charge for single use plastic carrier bags will come into effect on October 5 with the aim of reducing the use of these bags to help protect the environment.”