The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs has published the Northern Ireland carrier bag levy annual statistics for 2018/19.
This statistical report is updated annually and the published statistics relate to the carrier bag levy that commenced on 8 April 2013. The figures relate to the number of bags dispensed by retailers in Northern Ireland between 1 April 2018 and 31 March 2019 as notified to the Department by 30 June 2019. It is available from the DAERA website.
The key points are:
- During the sixth year of operation, 93.5 million carrier bags were dispensed by retailers under the carrier bag levy in Northern Ireland.
- This was 5.4% lower than the previous year, with 5.3 million fewer bags dispensed. This decrease can be attributed to a decrease in lower rate bags dispensed (22.9% decrease). The number of upper rate bags dispensed increased by 61.7% between 2017/18 and 2018/19.
- The number of carrier bags dispensed in 2018/19 is still markedly lower than the baseline figure prior to the introduction of the levy, which was estimated at 300 million bags in 2012. Year 6 of the 5p levy saw a reduction in bag numbers of 68.8% compared to the baseline.
- The proceeds of the levy for 2018/19 totalled £4.6million, a decrease of £0.3million (6.1%) from the previous year.
Further information
The statistical report containing more detail can be accessed via the DAERA website.
Notes to editors:
- This is the sixth year of the carrier bag levy in Northern Ireland. These are the final official statistics for 2018/19. The Department intends to publish 2019/20 figures in August 2020. Reports from previous years can be accessed from the DAERA website.
- Bags which are exempt from the levy, such as those used solely to contain unpackaged raw food or hot foods / hot drinks, are not included in the data. Retailers are not required to record this information. The main exemptions are listed on carrier bag levy section of nidirect and the full list is available from Schedule 1 of the Regulations.
- The figures are based on data supplied by 2,451 retailers in Northern Ireland as notified to the Department by 30 June 2019. Note that this is not the number of actual premises at which carrier bags are dispensed, as one retailer can submit returns for more than one outlet.
- The Department’s estimate of the number of bags dispensed in 2012 (300 million) is derived from UK-wide Waste & Resources Action Programme (WRAP) data for 2008. The data were adjusted to take account of reductions in bag usage as a result of voluntary retailer measures since 2008.
- The figures presented in the release will not equate precisely to the total bags dispensed in the year due to the 30 June cut-off date applied for the production of Official Statistics. For each year reported it has been estimated that the number of bags notified by 30 June has been around 3% lower than the actual total number of bags dispensed in that year.
- These figures have undergone audit by Carrier Bag Levy Team, which has responsibility for administration and collection of the levy and ensuring that sellers comply with the Regulations. Download guidance on carrier bag levy enforcement.
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- All media queries should be directed to the DAERA Press Office on 028 9052 4619 or via email. Out of office hours please contact the duty press officer on 028 9037 8110.