Scotland: 5p plastic bag charge sees 80% drop in usage
The number of plastic carrier bags handed out in Scottish shops dropped 80% in a year after the country introduced a 5p charge, new figures show.
The statistics, released by the government to mark a year since the law came into effect in Scotland, suggested at least 650 million fewer bags had been handed out annually compared to previous years.
650m
fewer plastic bags handed out in a year as a result of the Scottish government's 5p charge
In 2011, Wales was the first UK nation to introduce the measure, with Northern Ireland following in 2013.
England became the last of the home nations to do so earlier this month.
As well as reducing plastic bag use, the Scottish government said the 5p charge had also raised nearly £7 million for good causes since its introduction in October last year.