In 2020, the plastic bag tax was introduced to achieve an EU target on the consumption of plastic bags. In 2017, Swedes consumed 83 plastic bags per person per year, according to the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency. In 2023, Swedes consumed 17 plastic bags per person per year.
Anna Nagrell is the store manager at Coop Sveaplan in Eskilstuna, and she does not believe that customers will start buying large quantities of plastic bags again.
– I think the customers have found their way with using the same bag several times.
More lower prices
The plastic bag tax is currently SEK 3 per larger carrier bag.
Coop will lower the prices of plastic carrier bags from SEK 6.95 to SEK 3.95.
– This decision is a natural consequence of the change and something our customers expect, says Marcus Björling, press secretary at Coop Sweden.
Also at Hemköp and Willys, the price of plastic bags will be reduced corresponding to the tax that is removed. However, Hemköp has a number of dealer-owned stores.
– Since we have free pricing, I cannot answer how these merchants will price their bags, it can vary from store to store, says Jenny Pedersén, communications manager at Hemköp.
The same applies at Ica, each store chooses what the plastic bags should cost.
– We believe that many customers will continue to bring their own bags to the store, buy reusable options or, for small purchases, carry goods home in their hand or bag even after the abolition of excise duty on November 1, says Maria Elfvelin, press officer at Ica.
As many positives as negatives
According to one Novus examination made on behalf of Håll Sverige rent, 39 percent of Swedes are positive about the tax being removed. The percentage who are negative about it is 38 percent.
What do some customers in Eskilstuna think about the tax disappearing? Hear them talk in the clip below.