2.6 Million Plastic Bags Used Daily by UK Online Retailers in 2024
Plastic use in online fashion is spiralling
The boom in online shopping has created an unexpected environmental side effect. In 2024, fashion retailers alone sent out an estimated 941 million plastic mailing bags across the UK – that’s around 2.6 million bags every single day.
These staggering numbers raise serious questions about the real impact of the plastic bag levy, which successfully cut down carrier bag use in physical shops by 98% since 2015, yet still doesn’t extend to the fast-growing online sector.
E-commerce packaging set to surge further
According to new research, the number of plastic mailing bags used in e-commerce is projected to rise by 40% within the next three years. If that trend continues, Britain could see as many as 6.9 billion plastic delivery bags distributed over the next five years – an increase of more than 1.3 billion bags annually.
When compared with the rest of Europe, the UK now stands out as the largest single market for online retail packaging, producing around 150 million more bags than Germany, its closest rival.
Public opinion shifting against plastic
The tide of public sentiment is clearly turning. In a recent Censuswide poll, two-thirds of Britons (67%) said they want to see plastic mailing bags phased out wherever viable alternatives exist.
A further 60% of shoppers expressed a preference for items delivered in cardboard or paper packaging, and half of respondents admitted to feeling “guilty” about the sheer amount of plastic used in their online orders.
Even more tellingly, 46% said they would be more likely to buy from brands using easily recyclable or compostable materials, underlining how consumer values are becoming increasingly sustainability-driven.
Recycling rates remain worryingly low
Despite this clear demand for change, the recycling figures are alarmingly poor. Of the 941 million bags sent out last year, only 9% were reused or recycled, leaving around 857 million to be landfilled or incinerated.
If nothing changes, researchers predict that the total number of unrecycled plastic bags could rise to one billion a year by 2030 – adding enormous pressure on local waste management systems and further fuelling the UK’s plastic crisis.
A growing challenge for waste management and retailers
The findings highlight a significant gap in how plastic waste is being handled between high street retail and online commerce. While brick-and-mortar stores have largely adapted to sustainable practices, the e-commerce industry still lags behind.
At Affordable Waste Management, we’re committed to helping UK businesses reduce their environmental impact by managing waste responsibly. Our team delivers fully compliant collection, recycling, and disposal services designed to keep plastic and other materials out of landfill. We provide the containers, organise scheduled collections, and ensure that every load is processed in line with current environmental regulations. By focusing on efficiency, transparency, and sustainability, we make it easier for businesses to meet their waste obligations and operate more responsibly.