Figures based on data supplied by 3,189 retailers were published yesterday (August 27) and show that a total of 84.5 million single use bags were distributed by Northern Irish retailers in 2013/14, compared to an estimated 300 million issued during the 12 months before the levy came into effect.
DOE is quoting that the levy has led to a reduction in the number of bags issued of around 71.8%, although the exact fall in bag usage is not known as 2013/14 is the first year that the Department has been monitoring the data.
Estimates made prior to April 2013 are based on data gathered by the Waste & Resources Action Programme (WRAP) in 2008 and information from retailers.
Under the Single Use Carrier Bags Charge Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2013, which have been in force since April 8 2013 (see letsrecycle.com story), retailers are required to charge at least 5p for each single use carrier bag supplied new to customers. Bags for unpackaged raw food or hot food and drinks are exempt from the charge.
Revenue
Proceeds of the levy are channelled directly to the DOE and in 2013/14 totalled £4.17million. DOE has already allocated around £2.3million of the revenue back into the local community through its Challenge Fund, while a further £1.1million has been allocated to the Natural Heritage Grant, Sustainability Innovation Fund and Local Clean-up Support.
Commenting on the figures, environment minister Mark H Durkan, said: “The response from shoppers has been very positive and retailers have also risen to the challenge. The result has been a very significant reduction in single use carrier bags.
“During the past year, I have ensured that money from the bag levy has gone back into the community through environmental projects. I have visited many of these projects and have been inspired by the great work being done.
“I am delighted to announce that £2.5 million of this year’s levy receipts will be available to support community projects.”
Phase two of the bag levy in Northern Ireland is due to commence in January 2015 and will require retailers to add 5p to all reusable bags with a retail price of less than 20p.
A levy on single use bags is also due to come into effect in Scotland from October 2014, after plans were formally approved in May, while England is to follow suite in autumn 2015.
A 5p levy has been in effect in Wales since October 2011. The introduction of the Welsh levy initially saw a reduction in bag usage of up to 80%, but figures published last month revealed that the number of bags issued had begun to creep up again in 2013 (see letsrecycle.com story).
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