WE are all probably more conscious of using carrier bags.

Many of us have already switched to fabric or environmentally-friendly alternatives but, occasionally, a carrier bag comes in handy for accommodating those extra purchases and essentials if we pop in a shop and are caught short without an alternative.

However, from October 5 we will be paying through our pockets as the 5p charge on single use plastic carrier bags comes into force across the UK.

Some stores have already introduced the charge but, with the exception of small independent shops, supermarkets and large shops will be levying the charge as part of a government policy that aims to reduce litter and protect wildlife.

Strewn across pavements and trees, carrier bags are a blight on our street scenes and landscapes. Following the introduction of the charge, the Government expects to see a reduction of up to 80 per cent in the use of single-use carrier bags in supermarkets and 50 per cent on the high street in England, as well as £60m saved in litter clean-up costs and £730 million generated for good causes.

All retailers with 250 or more full-time equivalent employees will have to charge a minimum of 5p for the bags they provide for shopping in stores and for deliveries, but the plan has prompted criticism because it will not include smaller shops or paper bags.

The initiative appears to have the support of the majority of shoppers in England with 62 per cent thinking it is reasonable to charge 5p for all carrier bags - a six per cent increase on 2012, a poll for the Break the Bag Habit coalition of litter charities found.

But the latest survey found 51 per cent were in support of an even more comprehensive scheme that extended the charge to all retailers.

The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) said it was encouraging its members in England to introduce their own voluntary charging schemes wherever practical.

Jen White, chief executive of BCEP Bradford Community Environment Project, a charity delivering environmental projects to encourage people across the city to get involved and make a difference to their environment through initiatives such as gardening projects, welcomed the 5p carrier bag charge as a way of protecting the planet.

"We join the rest of the UK charging 5p for carrier bags and we think it will get people to think 'do we need it?' I don't think it will disadvantage people and it is beneficial to the environment not to see plastic bags in it," says Jen.

She appreciates it may be difficult for smaller shops to adopt a 5p charge and appreciates their exemption. "I personally would welcome non use of plastic bags everywhere, but I can see for some shops it would be difficult. I would encourage everyone to think every time they shop, 'is there an alternative, can I use something else?'

The Morrisons Foundation, run by the Bradford-based supermarket giant, predicts an increase in the number of grants awarded to good causes, which it estimates to be around £5m, when the charges are introduced.

Established earlier this year, the foundation provides grants to both local and national charities carrying out projects that improve people’s lives. To date the Foundation has awarded over 100 grants totalling around £650,000. In addition, some proceeds generated from the single use carrier bag charge will be donated to Morrisons current charity partner, Sue Ryder.

In store, displays and checkout staff are reminding customers of the incoming carrier bag charge and a two pence reduction on its Bag for Life as well as the introduction of a new range of reusable bags are aimed at encouraging customers to switch to an environmentally-friendly alternative.

In Scotland and Wales, where a similar charge is already in force, Morrisons has seen around an 80% reduction in the use of single use carrier bags.

The company's Group Corporate Services Director, Martyn Jones says: “This is a big change for customers and we are working hard to make our shoppers aware of the charge and provide them with a choice of reusable bags. However, the charge will be a boost for local charities across the country and help them to deliver projects that will make a real difference in their communities.”

Funds raised from Morrisons online deliveries will support a recycling initiative which will reprocess used online delivery bags into new carriers.

A spokesman for the company says while they aren't offering a bagless option for online orders yet, they are looking at trialling it in future.