29 Feb 2008


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Retailers cut bag use by one billion, but no room for complacency, says WRAP

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Retailers have cut the number of plastic carrier bags by one billion over the past year, says the Waste & Resources Action Programme (WRAP).

Plastic bag

One year ago 21 of the UK’s leading high-street and grocery retailers signed an agreement to cut the environmental impact of bags by 25% by the end of 2008.

They have now cut the number of bags used from 13.4 billion to 12.4 billion and reduced the amount of virgin plastic used by 14%.

WRAP said this meant they were on target to meet the 25% reduction by the end of this year.

But it added: “Performance has been very variable, with retailers reporting activity ranging from a 70% reduction in virgin plastic use to an increase of 22% in one case.

“We are also disappointed that there has not been more progress on the actual number of bags reduced.

“Therefore, while the 14% reduction achieved is broadly on track to reach the overall target by the end of the year, there is clearly no room for complacency.

The most popular retailer initiatives included:

• loyalty card point schemes
• promotion of re-useable bags
• bags dispensed and bagged by cashier only
• introduction of in-store carrier bag recycling facilities (up 43%)
• reduced bag size
• introduction of bags with more recycled content

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