Plastic bag sales have experienced their first increase in a decade, attributed to the so-called “Ocado effect,” as online food shopping and rapid delivery services replace traditional supermarket visits. Data from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs shows that shoppers in England purchased 437 million single-use plastic carrier bags in 2024, marking a 7% rise from the previous year. This increase in bag sales breaks a trend that began in 2015 when the government introduced a 5p charge on single-use plastic bags; the charge was temporarily paused and then increased to 10p in 2021.
The Waste and Resources Action Programme (Wrap) suggests that the surge in online grocery shopping, along with changes in packaging methods, has led to the uptick in bag sales. Ocado topped the list, selling 221 million plastic bags, a 30% increase from the previous year, which the company attributed to an increased customer base. Co-op followed with 94 million bags, although they pointed out their bags are 100% compostable, while Morrisons and Sainsbury’s sold 58 million and 11 million respectively.
Both Ocado and Morrisons offer recycling options for their customers, with high return rates for refunds. Despite the steep initial drop in bag sales following the introduction of the levy, these latest figures have raised concerns about a reverse in progress towards reducing plastic waste. This concern is amplified by a bigger picture issue of plastic pollution, as reported by the Marine Conservation Society, noting a 9.5% increase in plastic waste collected on beaches in 2024 compared to the previous year. Much of this waste originates from public sources, including household litter that enters seas through rivers and sewage systems.
Sainsbury’s, which saw a 2.5 million bag increase, attributes this to the rise of “on-demand” deliveries through apps. The company has switched to paper bags and anticipates a significant drop in single-use bag sales. Morrisons also adapts by using small crates for grocery deliveries in over 50% of postcodes, which customers unpack and return to the driver. The government remains committed to reducing plastic use, emphasizing the effectiveness of the plastic bag charge since its introduction.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/aug/25/ocado-worst-plastic-bags-total-single-use-sales-rise
