The 5p Bag Tax Has Changed The Way Small Businesses Use Carrier Bags, Says Carrier Bag Shop, A Leading Packaging Vendor

Retailers have seen plastic bag usage drop by 97%, but with many moving to more sustainable alternatives, new opportunities have opened up for bag vendors.

London, United Kingdom – August 18, 2023 —

Following on from the 5p bag charge introduced by the UK government in 2015 to curb retail plastic bag use. Carrier Bag Shop, a leading UK retailer serving over 250,000 businesses, reports the policy changed consumer behaviour dramatically, but that demand for carrier bags remains strong. “

Despite the colossal fall in demand for disposable plastic bags at major retailers over the past 8 years, the demand for alternative bags remains strong across the country,” said CEO Sujan Shah commenting on the most recent data. “We believe while non-reusable plastic bag demand will not return, sustainable and re-usable products have filled the void and that demand will remain, taking up an increasing share of small businesses’ portfolios.” 

Carrier Bag Shop’s remarks come after a government study found the 5p bag charge reduced disposable plastic bag consumption at major UK supermarkets by 97%. Consumers initially disliked having to pay for bags that were always free, but many now agree with the policy. 

“Our plastic bag charge has ended the sale of billions of single-use bags,” said environment minister Steve Double when discussing the scheme’s success, “protecting our landscapes and ensuring millions of pounds are redistributed to worthy causes.” 

The plastic bag charge is not a tax and retailers do not need to send the money to the government. Instead, they can put it towards good causes. Since the opening of the scheme, retailers have donated more than £200 million to charitable efforts across the country, improving the lives of hundreds of thousands of people. 

Moreover, the impact on small businesses has not been as severe as many imagined. Local retail outlets are seeking alternatives that avoid the charge and allow their customers to keep shopping conveniently. 

Speaking on the matter, Mr. Shah was excited about the future. “Switching from plastic to paper bags is an opportunity for small businesses to protect their customers from the 5p charge while using materials with less impact on the environment.” 

Furthermore, small businesses can continue to use plastic bags in some settings. Rules permit retailers to distribute free plastic sealed transit bags for alcohol and tobacco, and when certain foodstuffs, such as meat, might pose a safety risk.

For all other purposes, the Carrier Bag Shop says sustainable alternatives are now viable. Retail could be seeing a return to the mid-twentieth century when most bags came from renewable sources.

For more information about the Carrier Bag Shop, use the contact details below: 

Contact Info:
Name: Shamsul Duha
Email: Send Email
Organization: Carrier Bag Shop
Address: 181 Victoria Road East Barnet, London, EN4 9PA, UK
Phone: 07708779956
Website: https://www.carrierbagshop.co.uk/

Release ID: 89105143

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