ACS has urged the Government to extend the plastic bag charge to small retailers as soon as possible after DEFRA (the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) published figures which show that sales of plastic bags by the seven biggest retailers in England have fallen by 90% since the 5p charge was introduced in 2015. The figures also reveal that 5p plastic bag sales have contributed around £169 million toward charities and other good causes since the charge was introduced on 5 October 2015.