A new study has found that there was a reduction in plastic bags found in the seas around Britain, due to the introduction of a 5p charge on plastic bags across Europe.Â
In the study, scientists found that there was approximately a 30% drop in plastic bags on the seabed in a large area from Norway and Germany to northern France, and west to Ireland. Â
The authors of the study claim that the decrease in plastic bag pollution, examined from 2010, showed the power of levies. Â
Centre for Environment, Fisheries, and Aquaculture Science, lead author of the study Thomas Maes said: “The fewer bags we use, the fewer we can lose, the fewer we can put into the environment. If we all work together towards a better environment, we can make changes. Â
According to The Guardian, the UK levy of 5p per bag, which was introduced in 2015, has already decreased single-use plastic bags given out by major retailers by 85%, down from 140 to 25 bags for the average person annually.Â
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