A tax on plastic shopping bags in the Republic of Ireland has cut their use by more than 90 per cent and raised millions of euros in revenue, the government says.

The tax of 15 cents per bag was introduced five months ago in an attempt to curb litter, and the improvement had been immediate and “plain to see”, said Environment Minister Martin Cullen.

The levy has been an outstanding success in achieving what it set out to do. He said that the 3.5 million euros in extra revenue raised so far would be spent on environmental projects.

The “plastax” is being closely watched by other countries, particularly neighbouring Britain.

Bangladesh has banned polythene bags altogether while Taiwan and Singapore are taking steps to discourage their use.

“The levy has been an outstanding success in achieving what it set out to do,” said Cullen.

“Over one billion plastic bags will be removed from circulation while raising funding for future environmentally friendly initiatives.”

He added: “It is clear that the levy has not only changed consumer behaviour in relation to disposable plastic bags, it has also raised national consciousness about the role each one of us can, and must play if we are to tackle collectively the problems of litter and waste management.”

Wind-blown litter

The environment ministry estimated that about 1.2 billion free plastic bags were being handed out every year in the republic, leaving wind-blown bags littering Irish streets and the countryside.

In the three months after the tax was introduced, shops handed out just over 23 million plastic bags — about 277 million less than normal, the government said.