The supermarket bag-style charge campaigners want for single-use plastics
Half of UK adults want to see an additional charge on single-use plastic packaging, much like the supermarket bag charge introduced in 2015.
This would see consumers face an additional charge for buying plastic-wrapped fruit, for example.
Natalie Fée, founder of anti-plastic charity City to Sea, told Yahoo News that the organisation's research has shown that supermarket-bag-style charges are effective and that consumers like the idea.
She said: "We know now that the public consistently respond positively to straightforward, transparent approaches to tackling plastic pollution. A charge on single-use plastic packaging works because people suddenly see that packaging, in this instance, plastic packaging, does actually have an intrinsic value that needs to be paid for. And then they realise they can avoid paying it, by using reusables, for example with plastic bags, water bottles or coffee cups."
'A charge on plastic isn't abstract policy, it's something people experience at the checkout, prompting an immediate decision. The success of the plastic bag charge is proof — people understand that they can either pay a little more for disposable or avoid the fee by choosing reusable alternatives. Rather than feeling overwhelmed by the enormity of plastic pollution, a simple charge gives people a concrete way to be part of the solution every time they shop."
The supermarket bag charge saw the number of bags sold by retailers drop by over 98% compared to 2014 levels, from 7.6 billion to just 79 million.
But during the same period, 1.5 billion bags for life (stronger plastic bags meant to be reused) were sold in the UK.
Fée says that this highlights that there should have been higher charges on bags for life.
She said: "Yes, the number of bags sold by major retailers dropped. However, bag for life sales increased.
"That needed to be considered at the same time — just replacing one type of plastic bag with another didn't address the underlying issue of a disposable culture. There should have been higher charges on bags for life, and that should have been across the board."
The research with 2004 people by City to Sea found that 72% of consumers say they want more reusable, refillable and returnable options.
Consumers also want some plastic items to be banned outright.
Almost half (42% of people) said they want to see a total ban on plastic-wrapped fruit and vegetables, single-use plastic bags and plastic water bottles.
From June 2025, disposable vapes will be banned.
A Deposit Return Scheme for drinks containers will see consumers paid to return bottles in 2027.
The government is also consulting on further bans on single-use plastics, including plates, cutlery and polystyrene cups.
The government's Simpler Recycling scheme (in force for businesses from 2025 and households from 2026) aims to ensure there is no 'postcode lottery' around plastic recycling.
Under the scheme, different areas will all have the same rules around what is recycled.
Under Simpler Recycling, all councils must collect the same waste streams, one of which is dry recycling including plastic.
By March 2027, plastic films will be able to be recycled in all areas.
Experts hope this will mean councils will be able to start recycling plastics that are not currently recycled, such as polystyrene.
Having one rule nationwide means it's easier to collect, process and recycle many different plastics.
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