Collection

Charges for single-use plastic carrier bags

Information for consumers and retailers about England's minimum 5p single use carrier bag (SUCB) charge from 5 October 2015.

• From: Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
• Published: 3 July 2015
• Last updated: 21 July 2017 — See all updates

These publications explain that the charges for single-use carrier bags encourage you to:

• re-use bags before recycling
• use bags for life
• reduce waste

Information for consumers

• Carrier bags: why there's a charge
  • 21 May 2021
  • Policy paper

Guidance for retailers

• Carrier bag charges: retailers' responsibilities
  • 8 July 2024
  • Guidance
• Single-use plastic carrier bag charges: artwork for retailers
  • 7 May 2021
  • Promotional material

Summary of data in England

• Carrier bag charge: summary of data in England
  • 19 September 2024
  • Research and analysis

Published 3 July 2015
Last updated 21 July 2017 + show all updates

1. 21 July 2017

   Added a link to the summary of the data reported by retailers in England for 2016 to 2017.

2. 30 July 2016

   Added information about summary of data for first 6 months of the charge.

3. 24 July 2015

   Added link to 24 July news story, "plastic bag numbers rise for the fifth year".

4. 17 July 2015

   New information for consumers and others published, as well as artwork for retailers.

5. 3 July 2015

   First published.