The plastic bag tax was introduced in the spring of 2020, with the goal of reducing litter in nature. The bags break down into microplastics that can remain in soil, lakes, and oceans for several hundred years.
The tax effect, with a surcharge of three kronor for carrier bags, came relatively quickly. By the end of 2020, consumers had bought 55 carrier bags per person, compared to 74 bags the year before. Last year, consumption was down to 17 bags per person, according to the Environmental Protection Agency's statistics. A result that is well below the EU's goal of 40 plastic bags per person and year.
In parallel, the consumption of very thin plastic bags (for fruit, etc.) has also decreased significantly, and the purchases of the thickest bags, found in clothing stores, for example, are down to one bag per person and year.
Sweden third
In fact, Sweden is among the better in the EU when it comes to moderate consumption of carrier bags in plastic. In 2021, the latest reported year, the EU average was estimated at 77 bags ("ordinary" and very thin) per person. Sweden's average was 16 bags, and only Belgium and Portugal had lower figures, according to Eurostat.
It feels like that tax really made a difference, and that there aren't many other countries that have had a similar sharp decrease, says Agnes Willén, coordinator for waste statistics at the Environmental Protection Agency.
The Swedish outcome was also the government's motivation for abolishing the tax – the EU's goal is still being met, without this point taxation.
Can choose
The organization Keep Sweden Clean has, however, warned of a return to unsustainable consumption. Trade expects a certain increase, but not to the same level as before the tax – many customers have gotten used to carrying their goods in reusable bags, several chains have stated to TT.
It seems that a behavioral change has occurred, which hopefully can persist even if the tax changes. Moreover, stores can choose to keep the higher price on plastic bags, says Agnes Willén.
What the bags will cost in different stores is not entirely clear. Willys has stated that the price will be reduced from 6.90 to 3.90 kronor.
Anna Lena Wallström/TT
Facts: Plastic bag consumption in Sweden
TT
Refers to "ordinary" carrier bags, not bags for fruit and not thicker plastic bags. EU goal: 40 bags per person and year.
2019: 74 bags per person
2020: 55 bags per person
2021: 14 bags per person
2022: 17 bags per person
2023: 17 bags per person
During the same period, thin plastic fruit bags have decreased from 75 to 6 bags per person and year. The lowest recorded figure was made in 2021, with 2 bags.
