England begins charging for plastic bags and their use drops 85%

Of course, everyone knows that less plastic in our landfills and oceans is a good thing, but it seems that real change only comes when forced.

Meaning, once people we forced to start paying 5p per bag in England, the usage dropped about 85%.  In 2014, before the plan was implemented, shops around the UK handed out 7 billion plastic bags.  In the first six months after the change, the number has dropped to 640 million.

People are now, handedly, using their reusable bags and waste is way down.

“It will mean our precious marine life is safer, our communities are cleaner and future generations won't be saddled with mountains of plastic taking hundreds of years to break down in landfill sites,” says the Environment Minister Therese Coffey.

England now follows in the footsteps of Scotland, Wales and Ireland who have all begun charging for bags.  The law, introduced in October 2015, ensures that any major retailer employing more than 250 staff has to charge 5p for every single-use plastic bag they give away.

The cost of bags has also helped raise close to $40 million. which has been donated to charities, environmental causes, and community groups.

This is a huge bonus for the people of England and for the oceans.