single-use bags sold in England in 2025/26

Down 81% since 2016 to 2017, the first full year of the charge, and 9% on last year. The main 7 supermarkets alone sold 126 million, down 98% from 7.6 billion in 2014, before the charge.

Impact: Economy, Policy and law

Region: United Kingdom

Value: 399M
Unit: bags
Data year: 2026
Trend: Falling
Source name: Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) carrier bag charge data, England 2025 to 2026
Source link: gov.uk/government/publications/carrier-bag-charge-summary-of-data-in-england/single-use-plastic-carrier-bags-charge-data-for-england-2025-to-2026
Confidence: Evidence: High
Caveat / scope: Only the 94 retailers that reported data; 'bag for life' sales rose, so total plastic fell by less than 81%.
Verified on: 22 September 2026

Sources last verified 22 September 2026. Page updated 24 September 2026. How we check sources

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