Stores to cut carrier bags waste
The UK’s leading supermarkets have signed an agreement with the Government to halve the number of plastic carrier bags they provide customers.
Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Asda and Waitrose have all pledged their commitment to reducing the amount of waste in the UK.
Other chains that have also signed the voluntarily agreement, include Marks & Spencer, Co-operative Group and Somerfield.
The decision will come into effect in Spring when the supermarkets will start reducing the number of disposable-free plastic bags on offer, and the Government hopes the usage will be cut by 70% in the longer term".
Environment Minister Jane Kennedy said: "This is a bold commitment that will result in around five billion fewer bags being handed out".
Over the past few months supermarkets have used their own initiatives to reduce the number of bags they provide. Marks & Spencer started charging 5p for a bag and Tesco and Sainsbury’s removed the bags altogether. Tesco also rewarded customers who used their own bags with Green Clubcard points.
Tesco corporate and legal affairs director, Lucy Neville-Rolfe says: "These are challenging targets for the industry and the government’s longer term targets are even more stretching."
Copyright © Press Association 2008
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