Supermarkets to halve plastic bag use |
| Thursday, 18 December 2008 | |
 Supermarkets have agreed to cut the number of plastic bags they use by half before next Spring.Seven of the UK's largest chains, including Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury's and Waitrose, are part of the British Retail Consortium's (BRC's) deal with the government. The Department for the Environment said the number of bags saved as part of the initiative could fill 60 Olympic-sized swimming pools. In November, the Welsh Assembly was reportedly thinking of introducing a plastic bag levy. Environment minister Jane Kennedy said: "This is a bold commitment which will result in around five billion fewer bags being handed out. "Supermarkets have already taken some imaginative steps to help us use fewer carrier bags and other high street retailers should look to them for inspiration. "Of course, we can all play our part to reduce the number of carrier bags on our high streets and the government will work closely with the BRC on a campaign to help us all to do so.'' "Exciting new opportunities" are being offered to consumers to help reduce their impact on the environment, said BRC chief executive Stephen Robertson. Supermarkets are to give customers extra loyalty points for bringing their own bags to stores, while some will charge for plastic bags. Last month, independent retailers welcomed the decision by local London authorities to withdraw the Shopping Bag Bill. Related Articles
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