Retailers play down rise in carrier bag usage

Retailers have played down a rise in the number of single use carrier bags used by supermarket customers in 2011.

Data released today (July 5)by the Waste & Resources Action Programme (WRAP) shows that8 billion thin-gauge bags were issued in the UK in 2011, a 5.4% rise comparedto 2010, when 7.6 billion were issued.

The figures revealed a 7.5% rise in England, an 8.1% rise in Northern Ireland but no significant change in Scotland. However in Wales, where a mandatory 5p charge for single use bags was introduced in October 2011, there was a 22% fall in the number of bags used.

Responding to the figures, the British Retail Consortium (BRC) which represents retailers including the large UK supermarkets said the recent rise in numbers was down to changing spending habits, as a squeeze on peoples incomes means that they are increasingly doing several smaller grocery shops during the week rather than one big trip.

The BRC also stressed that bag use in 2011 was still 32% lower than in 2006 and that bags are not the great environmental issue that some believe. But, it said that if the UK governmentswere set on reducing bag use further, theywould have to go beyond voluntary scheme and introduce a charge like that seen in Wales.

Trends

BRC head of environment, Bob Gordon, said: Lets not forget, the number of carrier bags used in 2011 is still a third lower than in 2006. The majority of shoppers do their best to reuse bags and take as few new bags as possible. However, shopping trends are changing and its clear many customers appreciate the bags theyre offered.

Its no surprise the use of a bag charge in Wales has reduced the number of bags taken by consumers there. If other governments see reducing the use of carrier bags as a priority, they will have to take a lead and go beyond voluntary measures. Any legislation should be as similar as possible to whats in place in Wales and we are already working with other governments as they develop their plans.

Wales

Welsh environment minister John Griffiths also said that charging for bags was the only way to reduce usage, hailing the success of the 5p charge in Wales.

He said: These results show that the way to significantly reduce the use of single use carrier bags is for governments to introduce a charge to customers for them.

Net profits from single use bag purchase are donated by retailers to local charities and environmental causes.

Figures

Data on carrier bags issued by supermarkets has been gathered and analysed by WRAP at the request of UK governments on an annual basis since 2006.

The WRAP figures also show a 51% reduction in the amount of virgin polymer used in the manufacture of all carrier bags (including re-usable bags for life) since 2006. Between 2010 and 2011 there was an 11% increase. Even taking this into account, the overall downward trend in the number of bags being used suggests that more recycled materials are being used in bag manufacturing than in 2006.

Including re-usable bags, the overall number of bags distributed in 2011 was 8.4 billion an overall drop since 2006 of 4 billion. In 2010, the overall number of bags was 8 billion.

Table showing number of bagsgiven out by UKsupermarkets (source: WRAP)