The number of single-use plastic bags handed out by UK supermarkets has increased for the fifth year, running to 8.5 billion, figures show.
he number is up by 200 million on 2013 despite the average household already having 40 plastic bags stashed away, research from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs found.
But in Northern Ireland the number of bags handed out plummet once again by 42.6% following a previous drop of 71% after a carrier bag charge was introduced in April 2013.
