Consultation on the proposal to extend the Single-use Plastic bag charge to all retailers and to increase the minimum charge to 10p

Overview

The purpose of this consultation is to find out what you think about our plans to extend the Single-use Carrier Bag Charge to all retailers. We also want to know what you think about increasing the minimum charge to 10p.

These changes will build on the success of the existing Single Use Carrier Bags charge in reducing the effect of plastic bags in the environment.

Why your views matter

The government wants to leave our environment in a better state than we found it. The 25 Year Environment Plan, published on 11 January 2018 outlined the steps that will be taken to achieve that ambition, including new measures to eliminate all avoidable plastic waste.  It included a commitment to extend the single use carrier bag charge to all retailers on a mandatory basis if voluntary approaches were deemed ineffective.  In August the Prime Minister announced plans to consult on a mandatory extension and on possibly increasing the charge to at least 10p.

This consultation delivers on that commitment.  It sets out the government’s proposals to extend the single use carrier bag charge in England to all retailers. It also proposes to increase the minimum charge to 10p.

We want to know if you agree with our assessment of the costs and benefits of these proposals and how we'll measure their effects.  We are also keen to hear your views on plans to amend the exemption that applies to bags supplied at security restricted areas of airports.

This consultation follows the publication of Our Waste, Our Resources: A strategy for England that was published on 18 December 2018.

The consultation should be of particular interest to all small and large retail businesses, online sellers, businesses involved in the manufacture and import of plastic bags, local authorities, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) concerned about their effect on the environment and citizens.

If you would like to keep in contact with us to express interest in this, or any other Defra consultation, please give us your details through the link below

https://gov.smartwebportal.co.uk/defra/public/webform.asp?id=108&id2=1D06F7