A new compulsory charge has come into effect across all major UK supermarkets in bid to reduce plastic consumption.
The price of single-use plastic bags has increased in shops from 5p to 10p as shoppers are now expected to pay double the previous price should they require a plastic bag.
ASDA, Tesco, Aldi, Morrisons, Sainsbury's, M&S and Lidl shoppers are among those that will be affected by the new rule, Manchester Evening News reports.
While the average person in England now buys just four single-use carrier bags a year from the main supermarkets, in comparison to the 140 in 2014, the food retailers say "we know we must go further."
The government is hopeful that they can encourage shoppers to reduce plastic waste even further by including small and medium sized businesses.
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Environment Minister Rebecca Pow said: "The introduction of the 5p charge has been a phenomenal success, driving down sales of harmful plastic bags in supermarkets by a remarkable 95%.
"We know we must go further to protect our natural environment and oceans, which is why we are now extending this charge to all businesses."
Some retailers are hoping to take this one step further, according to Bristol Live.
John Lewis is now trialling removing plastic bags altogether from its Cheltenham, Kingston and Leeds stores.
As the 10p plastic bag charge comes into effect, the TaxPayers' Alliance (TPA) has calculated the increased rate will cost consumers £1.03 billion over the next decade.
Danielle Boxall, media campaign manager at the TaxPayers' Alliance, said: "While the charge has helped cut down the use of carrier bags, it’s still shoppers paying the price.
“Moving on from plastic bags will bring many benefits, but politicians cannot pretend this hasn’t hiked the cost of living for hard-pressed households.
“The move to online shopping during the pandemic may do more for cutting carrier bag use than this new 10p charge.”
