If it proves successful, the Co-operative plans to roll it out to other areas, subject to local demand.
As well as the home compostable bag, shoppers will also be able to choose from a Fairtrade Cotton bag or a plastic Bag for Life, which the retailer replaces for free and then recycles.
Recycling bins for the throwaway plastic bags are also being installed in stores.
Debbie Robinson, director of food retail marketing at the Co-operative Group, said: “The ultimate aim of this trial is to see if we can help reduce the use of plastic bags.
“In order to do that we need to show shoppers that there are alternatives to plastic bags and that by using them we can help reduce the impact on the environment.”
News of the move follows this morning’s announcement by Marks & Spencer (M&S) that it is to start charging shoppers a 5p levy on disposable plastic carrier bags for food.
