Shoppers use SIX BILLION fewer plastic bags after 5p charge introduced in England

SHOPPERS in England will use six billion fewer plastic bags this year due to the 5p charge, figures suggest.

And retailers have collected £29million to be given to charity.

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More than seven billion bags were given out by the seven major retailers in 2014.

This fell to half a billion in the six months since the charge was introduced last October, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs revealed.

The weight of the bags saved is equivalent to 300 blue whales.

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Environment Minister Therese Coffey called it a “huge success” and a boost for the environment and charities.

Dr Sue Kinsey of the Marine Conservation Society added: “This significant reduction will benefit the environment and sea life in particular.”

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Tesco UK and Ireland boss Matt Davies said the charge meant customers in England had cut out bags by a total of 30 million a week.

England was the last part of the UK to introduce the charge.