The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has published the Northern Ireland carrier bag levy annual statistics for 2021/22.

This statistical report is updated annually and the published statistics relate to the carrier bag levy that commenced on 8 April 2013. The figures relate to the number of bags dispensed by retailers in Northern Ireland between 1 April 2021 and 31 March 2022 as notified to the Department by 30 June 2022. 

1. This is the ninth year of the carrier bag levy in Northern Ireland. These are the final official statistics for 2021/22. The Department intends to publish 2022/23 figures in August 2023. Reports from previous years can be accessed from the DAERA website.

2. Bags which are exempt from the levy, such as those used solely to contain unpackaged raw food or hot foods / hot drinks, are not included in the data. Retailers are not required to record this information. The main exemptions are listed on carrier bag levy section of nidirect and the full list is available from Schedule 1 of the Regulations.

3. The figures are based on data supplied by 2,187 retailers in Northern Ireland as notified to the Department by 30 June 2022. Note that this is not the number of actual premises at which carrier bags are dispensed, as one retailer can submit returns for more than one outlet.

4. The Department’s estimate of the number of bags dispensed in 2012 (300 million) is derived from UK-wide Waste & Resources Action Programme (WRAP) data for 2008. The data were adjusted to take account of reductions in bag usage as a result of voluntary retailer measures since 2008.

5. The figures presented in the release will not equate precisely to the total bags dispensed in the year due to the 30 June cut-off date applied for the production of Official Statistics. For each year reported it has been estimated that the number of bags notified by 30 June has been on average 4% lower than the actual total number of bags dispensed in that year.

6. These figures have undergone audit by Carrier Bag Levy Team, which has responsibility for administration and collection of the levy and ensuring that sellers comply with the Regulations. Guidance on carrier bag levy enforcement is available from the DAERA website.

7. From 1 April 2022, the Carrier Bags Charge Regulations were extended so that the levy is 25p and applies to all new carrier bags with a retail price of £5 or less. This is regardless of the material used and whether they are single use or reusable. Data from 1 April 2022 will be reflected in the annual statistics for 2022/23 published in August 2023.

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9. All media queries should be directed to the DAERA Press Office at pressoffice.group@daera-ni.gov.uk.

10. The Executive Information Service operates an out of hours service for media enquiries only  between 1800hrs and 0800hrs Monday to Friday and at weekends and public holidays. The duty press officer can be contacted on 028 9037 8110.