WHETHER you are popping to the shops for a new outfit, DIY supplies or the weekly groceries, the introduction of a plastic carrier bag charge will affect virtually every one of us.

It has been hailed as a major victory for the environment but was also predicted to cause chaos this week.

There will no doubt be pictures circulating of shoppers, their arms laden with food, but it’s all quite simple really — reuse your old bags or pay the 5p charge.

Lots of people already reuse their bags, and not only for shopping. Others are used for storage, as bin liners, or for days out, but millions more are thrown in the dustbin, or worse still, discarded in the street, and then become a hazard to the environment.

It has been reported that last year, more than seven billion bags were given out in England’s supermarkets.

A 5p levy came into force in Wales in 2011 and led to a 70 per cent drop in the number of bags being used.

Experts have highlighted the damaging impact of plastic bag litter on marine animals.

So, it’s great news the change will benefit the environment by reducing carbon emissions, plus the air and water pollution associated with unnecessary carrier bag production, transportation and disposal.