Single Use Carrier Bag Charge FAQs
- Who do the Regulations apply to, and what is the charge?
- Are there any exemptions?
- What reporting is required?
- What support is available to businesses?
Who do the Regulations apply to, and what is the charge?
The Scottish Parliament passed legislation on 20 October 2014 (amended 1st April 2021) that requires all retailers (food and non-food) to charge a minimum of 10p for each new single-use carrier bag (including paper, those made from some plant-based materials and plastic). The aim is to encourage bag reuse and reduce the visible impact of litter.
Are there any exemptions?
Yes, details of exemptions for particular products, and also for size of single use carrier bags can be found here.
What reporting is required?
If your business employs 10 or more full time equivalent (FTE) members of staff at the beginning of a reporting year then you have a requirement under the Regulations to keep, retain and produce a record of information about the single use carrier bags supplied and the money received as a result of having to charge for bags. Records must be retained for a 3-year period.
There is no requirement to publish these records, they just need to be kept for the retention period in case a local authority requests it. An example of a template for recording information required under the regulations can be found
Please note, this information applies to Scotland only. Other areas in the UK many have different regulations for the reporting of carrier bag charges.
Further information can be obtained from Zero Waste Scotland