THE 5p levy on plastic carrier bags has been dubbed a “no brainer” as government introduces the scheme to save millions in clean up costs.

As of yesterday shoppers are being charged for each plastic carrier bag as part of a new government scheme to reduce waste and help protect wildlife.

Polythene UK, which had its headquarters in Witney, makes polythene products using green technologies.

Its said it has been campaigning for the charge to be brought in for the past five years.

Polythene UK managing director James Woollard said: “It is a no-brainer for numerous reasons, it highlights how expensive these things are and that we should ideally reuse them.

“Paying will make people do that and none of these bags are manufactured in the UK. It is done in Asia, so there will be no loss of jobs.

“I think we actually influenced the levy policy when David Cameron came to visit us in our new premises in Witney.

“We have developed compostable check-out bags to include handles which David Cameron thought was a great idea.

“The visit was around July 2013 and then eight weeks later they announced the bag tax coming in.”

Polythene UK is working to introduce a new compostable checkout bag into shops following the new charges.

The Witney-based company has produced a compostable bag – made from corn starch – which will double as both a shopping bag with handles and food caddy bag to collect food waste.

It is hoped this will provide retailers and consumers an alternative to paying just for plastic carrier bags.

The scheme means that any retailers with 250 or more full-time employees will have to charge a minimum of 5p for the bags they provide in store and for deliveries.

The government expects the scheme to reduce use of single-use carrier bags by up to 80 per cent in supermarkets, and 50 per cent on the high street.

It is also expected to save £60 million in litter clean up costs and generate £730 million for good causes – as after costs are deducted the proceeds are expected to be donated to good causes.

Oxfordshire Chamber of Commerce spokeswoman Ginette Gower said: “It will take consumers a while to adjust to the new charge but they will get used to taking their own bags.

“We don’t think this will affect long-term trade as most people will understand the environmental objectives.”