Why has the plastic carrier bag become so expensive?
The fee increased from NOK 3 to NOK 4 from 1 April 2025 because consumption of plastic carrier bags is not decreasing quickly enough. The EU requirement and our target are an average of 40 plastic carrier bags per inhabitant by the end of 2025. In Norway, the figure was approximately 49 bags at the end of 2025.
This means that we must reduce consumption by approximately 9 bags this year. That is the same reduction we have achieved over the past two years through a combination of increases in the fee and behavioural and awareness-raising measures.
Where does the money I pay for the bag go?
Many stores and retail chains in Norway are members of The Norwegian Retailers' Environment Fund and pay a fee on plastic bags to the fund. From 1 April 2025, the fee is NOK 4, so for every plastic bag you buy from one ofThe members4 NOK now goes to The Norwegian Retailers' Environment Fund.
See where the plastic bag funds have gone here!
CEO of The Norwegian Retailers' Environment Fund, Cecilie Lind, is clear about the awareness consumers should have.
“As a consumer, it is important to be aware that not all shops pay the fee, and instead retain all bag revenues themselves. So if you are in a shop and think the bags are expensive, we recommend checking whether the shop contributes to The Norwegian Retailers' Environment Fund or pockets the money itself.”
