Plastic bags liter a beach in Cornish. Photo: Surfers Against Sewage
Nineteen million bags are given out daily in England. That number can increase around the holidays when shoppers are rushing out to find deals. As a new year approaches, Surfers Against Sewage is urging consumers to stay away from the nineteen million bags that are offered at checkout every day. Discarded plastic bags are an iconic symbol of waste. The overuse of carrier bags is creating huge amounts of waste and litter, which is endangering wildlife and the environment.
In 2012, supermarkets gave out over eight billion single-use carrier bags in the UK, which equates to over 120 bags per person. Even when bags are disposed of properly, they can last for long periods of time in landfill sites. On October 1st, 2015, the government will bring into force a 5 pence charge on all single-use plastic bags in England. In the 638 days until then, consumers will use up to 12 million bags. By taking reusable bags to the store, shoppers can prevent huge amounts of litter as well as reduce the £one billion yearly clean up costs.
Andy Cummins, Break the Bag Habit spokesperson explained, “Giving out 19 million bags everyday in England is obscene and unnecessary. Similar bag charges are already working in Wales and Northern Ireland, dramatically reducing the number of single-use bags distributed and receiving strong support from communities. But with the prospect of 638 days before the charge comes in for England, we should all take action and start saying no to carrier bags from today.”
