Tesco has launched its search for charities that will benefit from the £1.8m a year it expects to raise from carrier bag levies in Wales and Scotland.

Charities are being invited to submit proposals on how they could work with Tesco and how they could use the money to “make a difference for the environment and their communities”. The announcement comes as a Scottish levy is being introduced for the first time this year.

Greg Sage, community director for Tesco, said: “We’re committed to doing what we can to reduce our impact on the environment and support our local communities.

“The money raised from the bag levy in Wales has already been put to great use by the local RSPB, and we expect successful bidders this time round will also use the money raised to make a huge difference. For the first time, charities in Scotland will have the chance to benefit from the bag levy too.”

Tesco has said that UK charities are welcome to apply to either one or both of the Scottish and Welsh charity partnerships, which it expects to be worth around £1m and £800,000 respectively. Both partnerships would be for an initial period of 12 months, from 1 October 2014 to 30 September 2015.

The legislation to introduce charges for plastic carrier bags came into force in Wales in October 2011, and will be introduced in Scotland from 2014.

Since 2011, the levy in Wales has raised over £2m for the local RSPB, this money went towards vital conservation works.

Last September, Nick Clegg announced plans to introduce the levy on plastic bags in England, with the proceeds going to charity. He expected £70m to be raised for charity through the tax.

Charities have until 11 July to apply and can find more information here.