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Plastic bags in Norwegian stores are more expensive again. The goal – reducing plastic consumption
Norwegians use an average of 70 plastic bags per person annually. stock.adobe.com/licencja standardowa
The Norwegian Environmental Trade Fund (Handelens Miljøfond) is increasing the price of plastic bags by another krone. The aim is to reduce the use of plastic bags in Norway by almost half by the end of 2025.
Many stores and chains in the land of fjords are part of the fund and pay a fee for plastic bags. From April 1, the membership fee increases from 3 to 4 kroner. Over the past year, plastic bags cost around 5.50 kroner in Norwegian stores. After the increase, it will be 6.50 kroner per piece.
Ambitions vs Reality
At the beginning of the year, data indicated that Norwegians use an average of 70 plastic bags per person annually. The environmental protection fund hopes that this solution will help meet the EU requirement, which stipulates that there will be a maximum of 40 bags per person by the end of 2025.
The plan to reduce by 30 bags annually, a goal necessary to meet EU requirements, is the same as in the last two years. For comparison, in 2024, Swedes used less than 20 plastic bags per person annually.
A survey conducted by Opinion shows that 68 percent of surveyed Norwegians believe that the limit on plastic bags is a good or very good solution, and eight out of ten shop online weekly or more often.
Sources: Handelens Miljøfond, NTB