(AGENPARL) - Roma, 20 Agosto 2026 - DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, ENVIRONMENT AND RURAL AFFAIRS

20 August 2026

Northern Ireland Carrier Bag Levy Annual Statistics 2025/26 released

The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has published the Northern Ireland carrier bag levy annual statistics for 2025/26.

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 2025 and 31 March 2026 as notified to the Department by 30 June 2026. It is available at: 

The key points are:

From 1 April 2022, the Carrier Bags Charge Regulations were extended so that the levy is 25 pence and applies to all new carrier bags with a retail price of five pounds or less.
During the thirteenth year of operation, 60.7 million carrier bags were dispensed by retailers under the carrier bag levy in Northern Ireland.
The number of carrier bags dispensed in 2025/26 was higher than 2024/25 when 59.2 million bags were dispensed.
The number of lower rate bags dispensed in 2025/26 (costing only the 25 pence) was 18.8 million, similar to the 18.7 million dispensed in 2024/25. The number of upper rate bags dispensed (those costing more than the 25 pence levy and up to five pounds) was 41.9 million, 3.6% higher than 2024/25. 
In 2025/26, 31% of the bags dispensed were lower rate compared to 69% of higher rate bags.

Further information