Plastic bag sales fall by 90 percent in England

Sales of plastic carrier bags in England's largest supermarkets have fallen by 90 percent since a 5 pence (6 cent) charge was introduced in 2015.

The average person in England now buys just 10 bags per year from supermarkets compared with 140 in 2014, according to new government figures. It follows huge falls in plastic bag usage in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland which introduced the fee sooner.

The bag fee came into effect in England in October 2015, with all supermarkets and large stores required to charge for every single-use plastic carrier bag they handed out.