Since the charge was first brought about in 2015, Defra has reported a 95% cut in plastic bag sales in all major supermarkets.
By extending the charge to all retailers, Defra expects the use of single-use carrier bags will decrease by between 70% to 80% in small and medium-sized businesses.
Small businesses across the country are being urged to “prepare themselves” for the changes ahead of them coming into force on 21 May.
Defra added that as a result of the carrier bag charge, the average person in England now buys just four single-use carrier bags a year from the main supermarkets, compared with 140 in 2014.
‘Phenomenal success’
Environment Minister Rebecca Pow said: “The introduction of the 5p charge has been a phenomenal success, driving down sales of harmful plastic bags in supermarkets by a remarkable 95%.
“We know we must go further to protect our natural environment and oceans, which is why we are now extending this charge to all businesses.
“Over the next couple of weeks I urge all retailers of all sizes to make sure they are ready for the changes, as we work together to build back greener and strengthen our world-leading action to combat the scourge of plastic waste.”
Wrap
The announcement comes as research conducted by Wrap found the charge to be “overwhelmingly supported” by the public, with 95% of people in England acknowledging the benefits.
The report published yesterday (6 May) found that 69% of people were either ‘strongly’ or ‘slightly’ in favour of the charge when it was first introduced, and that has increased now to 73%.
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