Usage of thin-gauge carrier bags in the United Kingdom (UK) from 2010 to 2014

This statistic shows how many thin-gauge (single-use) bags were used by shoppers in the United Kingdom (UK) from 2010 to 2014, in millions of bags used. The number of bags used in England has grown steadily each year since 2010, while the number of bags used in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland has steadily decreased. In a bid to reduce the number of plastic carry bags being used, England introduced a five pence surcharge on single-use bags on 5 October 2015, similar to the charge already in place across Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Unlike in other jurisdictions, several exemptions and conditions have been attached to the English policy, and many critics feel this will limit the impact the policy will have.

本统计数据显示了2010年至2014年间，英国（UK）消费者使用的薄型（一次性）购物袋数量，单位为千万个。自2010年起，英格兰每年使用的购物袋数量均呈稳步增长趋势，而威尔士、苏格兰和北爱尔兰使用的购物袋数量则持续下降。为了减少塑料购物袋的使用量，英格兰于2015年10月5日引入了对一次性购物袋征收5便士的附加费，此措施与苏格兰、威尔士和北爱尔兰现行的收费政策类似。然而，与其它司法管辖区不同，英格兰的政策附加了多项豁免条件和限制，许多批评者认为这将限制该政策所能产生的影响。