Are plastic carrier bags a litter problem?
No, in the UK, plastic carrier bags are not a serious litter issue. Firstly, litter is a problem of social behaviour, and is not specific to any one material or product. For many years the BPF has been a member of ENCAMS (formerly known as the Tidy Britain Group) to support litter education programmes, surveys and campaigns. Consumers are encouraged to re-use and then dispose of their bags responsibly. Some stores now run bag recycling schemes. Secondly, plastic carrier bags are not a significant component of litter in the UK, studies have shown that bags probably make up less than 1% of litter, and that cigarette butts are by far the highest proportion of litter. Plastic bags are useful and provide a hygienic, odourless, waterproof, robust and convenient way of carrying goods. Because of their strength and durability plastics bags can be re-used time and time again, either for a similar purpose or a wide range of other uses. As the NOP survey, commissioned by DEFRA in 2000, amply illu
