Our research underpinned the UK Government’s policy change of charging for single-use plastic bags and disposable coffee cups.

Reducing single-use plastic waste is a problem that requires broad public behavioural change supported by effective legislation.

Research led by Professor Wouter Poortinga of the School of Psychology and Welsh School of Architecture quantified the impact and public acceptance of single-use plastic bag and disposable coffee cup charges. It was the first to identify both increasing public support for charges as well as increased public appetite for further, related policy changes.

This research underpinned Welsh, Scottish and UK Government policy changes, which led to charging for single-use plastic bags and disposable coffee cups. It also directly prevented 9.4 million disposable coffee cups going to landfill from catering companies and was highly influential with regard to national debates around single-use plastics and packaging.