The number of plastic bags handed out by supermarkets in England in 2014 rose to 7.64 billion - 200 million more than in 2013.
Figures collected by waste-reduction body Wrap, on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), show that the figure has steadily increased for the past four years.
In 2010 almost 6.3 billion were used.
Campaigners argue that the bags blight streets, spoil the countryside, and damage wildlife, seas and coastline.
Ministers think introducing a 5p charge will stop shoppers using as many new bags, and encourage people to re-use old ones.
The government hopes to see an 80% reduction in plastic bag use in supermarkets, and a 50% fall on the high street.
Over the next decade it hopes the charge will create:
£60m savings in litter clean-up costs
£13m in carbon savings
The charge was a policy championed by the Liberal Democrats in the previous coalition government.