From 1 January 2021, the distribution of free bags will end and the tax on bags will be tripled. At the same time, the thin plastic carrier bags will be banned as of 1 January 2021. This has been passed by a broad parliament.

In January, the Danish Parliament passed an amendment to the Environmental Protection Act, which means that from 1 January 2021, the distribution of free carrier bags will be prohibited. The retailer must charge a minimum of 4 kroner for a carrier bag. The ban on free bags will apply to all types of carrier bags, including both bags with and without handles.

At the same time, the use of thin plastic carrier bags (less than 30 micrometers) that cannot be recycled is prohibited. However, the very thin plastic bags (less than 15 micrometers), which are used for fruit and vegetables, for example, are not banned for the purpose of combating food waste and food hygiene.

The Danish Chamber of Commerce supports the ban on the distribution of free carrier bags, as it will reduce the consumption of carrier bags. A minimum price of DKK 4 was set for a plastic carrier bag, as this is also the average price of plastic bags, including the new plastic tax.

The Danish Chamber of Commerce disagrees that recycled plastic should be included in the tripling of the tax, as this will hamper the transition to recycling in a circular economy. When the tax is also levied on recycled plastic, the use of recycled plastic becomes more expensive, which is why production with recycled plastic is not favored over production with new plastic.

Read more about the legislation here:

Proposal for an Act amending the Environmental Protection Act and the Packaging Tax Act