Finnish retailers increase plastic bag prices to curb use of plastics

By Burak Bir

LONDON (AA) - Finland’s two largest retail chains are raising the price of plastic shopping bags this month to discourage the use of plastics, according to media reports on Monday.

S Group and K Group stores have decided to increase the price of plastic bags to €0.50 ($0.60) this month to reduce the use of plastic bags, Finnish public broadcaster YLE reported.

A plastic bag has been sold for €0.35 ($0.42) at the chains across Finland since last spring, as both grocery chains said that people bought fewer plastic bags last year.

Now, only about 20% of shoppers buy a plastic bag on a typical visit, according to the report.

According to the S Group, the use of plastic bags decreased by almost 10% last year.

Both S Group and K Group also reported a 50% increase in paper bag sales since the price of plastic bags was raised last year.

The EU aims to reduce annual consumption of lightweight plastic carrier bags to no more than 40 per person.