But environmentalists say the government must go much further to tackle the plastic problem.
"When the government congratulates themselves on the single-use plastic bag charge, what they fail to mention is the enormous increase in the purchasing of so-called 'bags for life'," says Megan Corton Scott, political campaigner for Greenpeace UK.
She says Greenpeace research shows that households used almost 57 bags for life in 2019. That adds up to more than 1.5 billion bags for life issued by supermarkets, she says. "Because these bags for life are thicker and more durable, they have a far greater environmental impact both in production and how they break down, and the shift to bags for life saw supermarkets increase the amount of plastic they use," she adds.concluded that plastic bags for life needed to be used at least four times to ensure they contributed less to climate change than the lighter, single-use bags.
Campaigners have called for retailers to increase the prices of bags for life as more shoppers now treat them as disposable. The Green Alliance saysThe Co-op supermarket ditched thin polythene bags in favour of compostable carrier bags in April 2021 and called for a
Ireland Latest News, Ireland Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Modern slavery investigations at over 20 Lincolnshire car washesIssues surrounding poor work conditions and low pay
Read more »
20 easy, aesthetic summer nail designs to try at home (or show your manicurist)Snake print, neon tips, abstract squiggles and more.
Read more »
20 Of The Best Concealers For Every Skin ConcernMany make-up artists recommend forgoing foundation for an excellent concealer.
Read more »
Friday night pub quiz: Test your general knowledge with these 20 questionsHave a go at these questions and see if you can beat your friends
Read more »
Lightning strikes kill at least 20 people in India in just 24 hoursLightning strikes have killed at least 20 people in one of India’s poorest states in the space of 24 hours. The latest fatalities mean the state has now recorded 181 deaths from lightning strikes this year alone.
Read more »