People in the UK have been paying extra for plastic bags in supermarkets for a decade, yet a loophole in the law means billions of bags are still being used. The plastic bag levy was introduced for large retailers in October 2015 and now applies to all retailers across Britain. However, a significant disparity remains between progress in physical retail stores and the policies adopted by online delivery services, according to research by Development Economics, commissioned by sustainable packaging company DS Smith.
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While UK law ensures that in-store purchases incur the plastic bag charge, online purchases remain exempt. With the growing popularity of online shopping, the number of plastic bags used for deliveries has surged, particularly in the fashion industry, where almost a billion plastic bags were sent out last year alone. By 2030, it is estimated that 1.3 billion plastic delivery bags will be used annually, totalling 6.9 billion over the next five years. Despite efforts to reduce plastic waste, the UK currently uses more plastic bags per year across e-commerce than any other country in Europe.
Recycling plastic bags remains a challenge, as they are not accepted in most household recycling collections across the UK. Instead, consumers must take them to dedicated recycling points, resulting in low recycling rates. For fashion e-commerce plastic bags, recycling rates are as low as 9%. Stefano Rossi of DS Smith stated: “We believe legislation can and should be more ambitious—phasing out certain plastics to create a level playing field that drives innovation, investment, and competition to replace plastic.”
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While some companies, such as Zalando and Amazon, have switched to plastic-free packaging, many retailers remain hesitant due to higher costs or a lack of scalable alternatives. David Fischer, Zalando’s Director of Logistics, Sustainability, and Packaging, noted that introducing paper bags increased customer satisfaction by 16% year over year. However, he acknowledged that finding a truly sustainable alternative remains complex. Despite these challenges, current regulations are unlikely to change in the near future. However, the UK government’s Simpler Recycling scheme, set to be fully implemented by 2026, aims to standardise recycling rules nationwide and encourage businesses to separate and recycle materials more effectively.
