Many shoppers in England will have to pay 5p for plastic carrier bags from Monday in a bid to slash the 7.6 billion handed out every year.
England is the last part of the UK to start charging for bags.
Shoppers at all supermarkets and large shops will be required to use their own bags or be charged for plastic bags.
Environmentalists have welcomed the move, but have called for a more comprehensive scheme that includes all retailers and all types of bags.
Retailers with 250 or more employees must charge at least 5p for the bags they provide for shopping in stores and for deliveries, but smaller shops and paper bags are exempt.
Free bags will still be provided for consumers buying uncooked meat, poultry or fish; prescription medicine; certain fresh produce such as flowers or potatoes; and unwrapped ready-to-eat food such as chips.
The exemptions mean the move may not be as successful as schemes introduced elsewhere in the UK, campaigners say
Shoppers in England last to face 5p plastic bag charge - BBC News
England is the last part of the UK to start charging for bags.
Shoppers at all supermarkets and large shops will be required to use their own bags or be charged for plastic bags.
Environmentalists have welcomed the move, but have called for a more comprehensive scheme that includes all retailers and all types of bags.
Retailers with 250 or more employees must charge at least 5p for the bags they provide for shopping in stores and for deliveries, but smaller shops and paper bags are exempt.
Free bags will still be provided for consumers buying uncooked meat, poultry or fish; prescription medicine; certain fresh produce such as flowers or potatoes; and unwrapped ready-to-eat food such as chips.
The exemptions mean the move may not be as successful as schemes introduced elsewhere in the UK, campaigners say
Shoppers in England last to face 5p plastic bag charge - BBC News