Single-use carrier bags

We want to encourage people to use their own bags to conserve our limited resources, promote sustainability, and cut down on waste and litter. We are committed to reducing the amount of single use carrier bags used in Wales.

The new single use carrier bags charge legislation came into force in Wales on 1 October 2011. Single use carrier bags are no longer be given away free when people buy goods.  

Visit: The Single Use Carrier Bags Charge (Wales) Regulations 2010 (external link)

The money raised is collected by the retailer and we want this to be passed on to good causes, preferably environmental good causes, here in Wales.

If you are a good cause - this could be anything from a school, small local community group or a national charity - then you may want to contact local, national and international businesses to see if they are able to donate any of the carrier bag charge proceeds to you.

An example letter that you can use is available on the Carrier bags charge website.

Visit: I represent a good cause: Carrier bags charge Wales website (external link)

Retailers may be interested that we have developed a voluntary agreement on where the net proceeds will go. You can also use our online form to sign up to the agreement. These are available in the Retailers area (Reporting back page) on the Carrier bags charge website.

Visit: Reporting back page: Carrier bags charge Wales website (external link)

For more information on our policies on single-use carrier bags, please visit the Carrier bag charge Wales website.

Visit: Carrier bag charge Wales website (external link)