Plastic bag use 'down 80% since 5p charge'

Tesco says the 5p charge has reduced use of plastic bags by 'almost 80%' Credit: PA

The number of plastic bags taken home by shoppers in England has dropped by almost 80% since the introduction of the 5p charge, data suggests.

Figures for the first month from supermarket chain Tesco showed a 78% drop in single-use carriers bags, according to the Telegraph.

Environment minister Rory Stewart was reportedly "delighted" by the figures which showed the charge having "a real impact and raising thousands of pounds for good causes."

Rebecca Shelley, Tesco's communications director, said the charge had "clearly had a huge impact" and the company was on target to donate £30m to charity by the end of the first year.

Scotland introduced the charge in 2014 and has also seen an 80% drop in plastic bag use, meeting government targets.

Figures from across the United Kingdom show a similar trend:

The 5p charge started on 5th October in England as part of a government drive to protect the environment.