The Plastic Bag Tax
The plastic bag tax is a levy imposed on single-use plastic bags in an effort to reduce their use and encourage the use of reusable bags. The tax was introduced in England in 2015, with Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland following suit shortly after.
England
In England, the plastic bag tax was introduced on October 5th, 2015. It requires retailers with 250 or more employees to charge at least 5 pence for each single-use plastic bag they provide to customers. This applies to all shops, supermarkets, and other retail outlets.
Wales
In Wales, the plastic bag tax was introduced on October 1st, 2011. It requires retailers with 10 or more employees to charge at least 5 pence for each single-use plastic bag they provide to customers. This applies to all shops, supermarkets, and other retail outlets.
Scotland
In Scotland, the plastic bag tax was introduced on October 20th, 2014. It requires retailers with 10 or more employees to charge at least 5 pence for each single-use plastic bag they provide to customers. This applies to all shops, supermarkets, and other retail outlets.
Northern Ireland
In Northern Ireland, the plastic bag tax was introduced on April 8th, 2013. It requires retailers with 11 or more employees to charge at least 5 pence for each single-use plastic bag they provide to customers. This applies to all shops, supermarkets, and other retail outlets.