Customers in Northern Ireland will be charged for each single use carrier bag they take home.  Go to http://www.rethinkwasteni.org/at-home/reduce/carrierbaglevy/ to read more.

Wales  introduced a 5p charge in 2011 and the number of single-use bags being taken home has fallen significantly.  The Guardian reports that, in July, supermarkets in Wales reported reductions of 70-96% in single-use plastic and paper bags since the charge – which goes to charities and is not a tax – was introduced in October 2011 (see:  http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2012/oct/01/england-carrier-bag-charge-wales).