In less than two months’ time Wales becomes the first UK country to introduce a charge for single use carrier bags.
The Welsh Government has launched a campaign to ensure people are ready for the 5p carrier bag charge being introduced on October 1.
Posters have gone up at train stations and inside buses across Wales.
John Griffiths, Environment and Sustainable Development Minister, said: “Here in Wales the imminent introduction of our carrier bag charge is ensuring that people are thinking, and talking, about the problem of carrier bags. Just last week, figures were published showing that the people of Wales had reduced their carrier bag use by 7% over the last year.
“There’s no doubt that we still have a long way to go in reducing carrier bag use in Wales, as figures show that last year 329 million bags were given out by the major supermarkets alone. But I am confident that the charge will help us drive down carrier bag use and I hope next year’s figures will show another reduction.
“Whilst I know that reducing our use of single use carrier bags is not going to solve all our environmental problems the charge delivers an important message about the need for us to live much more sustainable lives.”
The money raised by the charge will not be going to the Welsh Government but will be passed on to good causes.
As a result of the charge, the Government expects to see a 90% reduction in the number of bags distributed in Wales, and for retailers to pass on up to £3 million to environmental and other projects.