Just over one year ago, the 5p charge for plastic bags was introduced in England and statistics have revealed that the benefits of that move are already appearing.

Prior to the charge coming into effect, 70% of shoppers in England carried and used their own carrier bags; since bags have stopped being given away for free, however, that figure has risen to a fantastic 90%.

In the first six months of the charge alone, the ‘Big 7’ supermarkets reported that they had given away 85% fewer plastic bags compared to the same period one year previously – from 7.6bn down to 600m. During the same period, the 5p charge also raised in excess of £29m for charity, and one of the world’s largest ethical packaging companies reported a 20% increase in sales of its reusable carrier bags.

The positive impact this has had on the environment is also beginning to become apparent. After undertaking its annual beach clean last month, The Marine Conservation Society’s head of pollution, Laura Foster, noted that volunteers weren’t seeing plastic bags littering beaches anymore. She added: “There is strong anecdotal evidence to suggest a decline in plastic bags in our marine environment.”

Here at TrakRap, we’re delighted that the carrier bag charge has been embraced by the public; it has led to this enormous reduction in the number of bags in circulation and represents another victory for one of our favourite things: a holistic approach to problem solving.