Number of plastic bags found on UK beaches down 80% since charge introduced | Plastic bags

    https://www.theguardian.com/environment/article/2024/jul/29/number-of-plastic-bags-found-on-uk-beaches-down-80-since-charge-introduced?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_content=ap_hapi14ocky

    Posted by Kunphen

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    16 Comments

    1. Su_ButteredScone on

      I’m still using reusable fabric bags I bought back in 2015 for 50p. Easiest thing in the world to do.

    2. With this and the sugary drink tax we’ve got some fairly solid evidence that charges/taxes can work well to reduce undesirable behaviour.

    3. External-Piccolo-626 on

      Still not enough. When I do my shopping I’d say at least 50%+ are still buying bags, the difference now is they are a lot stronger than the disposable ones were.

    4. inb4 “yebbutnobut all this woke net zero nonsense doesn’t work there’s still 20%’ses left innit”.

    5. Plastic bags were never a major problem on beaches. I’ve done beach cleans and the vast majority of the plastic waste came from the fishing industry.

    6. Shows the positive environmental impact that government regulation can have and why free market libertarians should do one…

    7. Is it time to start introducing this for other containers? Maybe like how some countries add a deposit charge that you can claim once you handle the bottle in etc.

    8. TheGodisNotWilling on

      Now increase taxes on animal products, and remove the subsidies that the meat industry gets.

    9. queen-bathsheba on

      Thanks, a good news story for a change

      Now I would like to see sauce sachets banned, they cause a huge amount of litter.