The results came in the annual “Northern Ireland Carrier Bag Levy” report released last week (21 August 2025).
The report found that 59.2 million carrier bags were dispensed by retailers in the last financial year, compared to 59.7 million the year before representing a 0.84% decrease.
The levy raised a total of £13.8 million, which DAERA ringfences for the Environment Fund to be put towards environmental and community projects.
October to December 2024 saw the most bags dispensed over the course of the year at 16.1 million.
January to March this year saw the least bags dispensed at 13.4 million.
England recently recorded an increase of 7% in carrier bags dispensed in the 2024/25.
Carrier Bag Levy
The Carrier Bag Levy was introduced in 2013 and dictates that retailers in Northern Ireland are legally required to charge a levy for all new carrier bags – regardless of material (plastic, paper, reusable bags, etc) – provided the bag has a retail price of £5 or less.
This requirement applies across virtually all retail situations, including grocery purchases, clothing, click-and-collect and deliveries.
There are a few exemptions including bags which hold unpackaged raw meat or fish, contain hot takeaway food or drinks, and those that replace worn-out “Bags for Life”.
The number of carrier bags dispensed in Northern Ireland has largely been on a downward trend since the levy was introduced.
Upper rate vs lower rate
The carrier bag charge was extended from 1 April 2022 so that the levy is 25 pence and applies to all new carrier bags with a retail price of five pounds or less.
Prior to this the annual statistics only included carrier bags sold by retailers for less than 20 pence.
There is also an upper rate charge of more than 25 pence levy and up to five pounds.
In 2024/25, 32% of bags dispensed were charged at the lower rate, whereas 68% were sold at a higher rate.
