New research shows that almost 7 billion plastic bags will be used for UK deliveries by 2030, widening the gap between high-street and online retail efforts to move away from plastic bags.
An analysis by Development Economics, commissioned by sustainable packaging business DS Smith, found that the UK is now the largest individual market for e-commerce plastic delivery bags among large European economies.
Since the 5p charge for plastic bags was introduced in 2015, bricks-and-mortar plastic bag use has fallen by 98%.
However, the research estimates that the number of bags in use for UK deliveries is set to increase by 40% between now and 2030.
This means by 2030, 1.3 billion plastic delivery bags will be used, adding up to 6.9 billion bags in the next five years, according to the analysis.
To avoid undoing the progress of the plastic bag levy, DS Smith is calling for legislation to evolve in line with e-commerce growth and for retailers to speed up efforts to replace plastic bags.
The research found that only 9% of the fashion e-commerce bags delivered across the UK are currently being reused or recycled, while the remaining 91% end up in landfill or incineration, equating to 857 million bags just last year.
According to the analysis, over 1 billion plastic bags will end up in landfill or burned annually by 2030.
While online shopping has grown, e-commerce retailers lag high-street stores when it comes to replacing plastic bags.
Commenting on the research, Stefano Rossi, Divisional CEO of Packaging at DS Smith, said: “While online shopping has grown, e-commerce retailers lag high-street stores when it comes to replacing plastic bags.
“It will be tempting for businesses to fixate on price, but sticking with plastic comes at a cost – consumers don’t want it, and brands risk their reputation by ignoring that.
“We think legislation can and should be more demanding of us all – phasing out certain plastics to help create a level playing field that encourages innovation, investment, and generates healthy competition to replace plastic.”
According to the research, 67% of people want plastic bags phased out where replacements are available, and 60% of shoppers say they prefer to receive their shopping wrapped in cardboard or paper.
51% of UK shoppers say they feel guilty about the amount of plastic their orders come in and think the responsibility to reduce the use of plastic sits with retailers. 46% say they’d be more likely to order from a fashion retailer that uses easily recyclable packaging.
