Northern Ireland

1.7 billion fewer bags used since introduction of levy in 2013

Regulations on single use carrier bags came into force in April 2013. Picture by Ali Waggie/PA Wire
Regulations on single use carrier bags came into force in April 2013. Picture by Ali Waggie/PA Wire Regulations on single use carrier bags came into force in April 2013. Picture by Ali Waggie/PA Wire

THE number of single use plastic bags dispensed by shops across the north has fallen significantly since the introduction of a levy in 2013, according to the latest official estimates.

Around 1.7 billion fewer bags have been used in the eight years since the so-called bag tax was imposed.

But Environment Minister Edwin Poots has voiced concern at the "volume of heavy duty bags that are now flooding the Northern Ireland retail sector".

Regulations on single use carrier bags came into force in April 2013.

Customers were initially charged five pence for each single use bag before the levy was increased to 20p two years later and extended to include all carrier bags, whether reusable or not.

There are a number of exemptions from the tax, including bags used solely to contain unpackaged raw food or hot food and hot drinks.

According to the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs' latest report, 56.2 million levied carrier bags were dispensed by retailers last year.

The figure represents 30.2 per cent reduction on the previous year, with 24.3 million fewer bags dispensed.

As a result, proceeds accrued form the levy last year dropped by half to £2.2 million.

Before the levy was introduced, it was estimated that 300 single use bags were dispensed annually in Northern Ireland.

The latest figures represent a 81.3 per cent reduction in bag numbers dispensed annually compared to the 2013 baseline figure.

The statistics are based on data supplied by almost 2,000 retailers across the region.

Mr Poots said that although year-on-year usage of single use bags continued to decline, he was concerned about the growing prevalence of what he termed "heavy duty bags".

"These heavy duty bags have become the new 'throw away' bag and it is important that we take steps to manage their environmentally detrimental consequences," he said.

The minister said his department had recently completed an eight-week public consultation aimed at "strengthening and future proofing" carrier bag legislation, which he aims to revise before the end of the current assembly mandate next year.

"It is unacceptable that far too much plastic ends up as pollution in our environment or waste in our landfills," he said.

Mr Poots said that while the report's findings were welcome, he urged the public to "do their bit and re-use bags whenever they can".