Northern Ireland’s shoppers are said to have reduced their consumption of single-use carrier bags “dramatically” in the year since the Northern Ireland Executive (Belfast; www.northernireland.gov.uk) introduced a 5p (6 euro cents) per bag charge in April 2013 as part of a campaign to curb plastics waste – see Plasteurope.com of 22.04.2013.

Figures for the first year of the levy published by the country’s Department of the Environment show that 84.5m single-use carrier bags were dispensed by retailers compared with around 300m bags a year earlier, reducing bag numbers by 71.8%. The fact that the biggest reduction was seen in the first quarter, with usage figures increasing in the second and third quarters, could be attributable to tourists or early Christmas shoppers who did not bring their own bags, the Department said.

Altogether, the levy generated net proceeds of GBP 4.17m in its first year. Under the legislation, net proceeds are to be used to support “wellbeing and prosperity.” The Department said it already has pumped revenues of GBP 2.3m back into the local community through the Challenge Fund, supporting more than 250 environmental projects. An additional GBP 1.1m was allocated to the Natural Heritage Grant, Sustainability Innovation Fund and Local Clean-up Support.

Bags exempt from the levy, such as those used solely to contain unpackaged raw food or hot foods or hot drinks, are not included in the data. Retailers are not required to record this information.