28 Feb 2008


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Marks & Spencer to charge for plastic bags

Marks and Spencer

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Marks & Spencer is to roll out a 5p charge for food carrier bags in all of its UK stores from the beginning of May.

The move follows a successful trial at more than 50 M&S stores in Northern Ireland and South-west England.

This saw the use of food carrier bags drop by 70%, the retailer said.

M&S chief executive Sir Stuart Rose said: “This move lies at the heart of our 100-point eco plan, Plan A.

“We want to make it easy for our customers to do their bit to help the environment and our trials have shown us that they want to take action.

“Just imagine if M&S customers right across the UK cut the number of food bags they use by 70% – that's over 280 million bags they'd be saving every year.”

Profits from the charge will go to environmental charity Groundwork.

The roll-out will start on 6 April, when M&S shoppers will be given a free bag for life.

Then on 6 May, the 5p charge will be introduced.

Also on 6 May, M&S will introduce a new standard food carrier bag made from 100% post-consumer waste.

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