From today, we’re giving customers the option of using large paper carrier bags in eight stores. The trial is a response to customers who told us reducing plastic is their number one environmental concern.
At 20p each the paper grocery bags, which can be reused and ultimately recycled, are labelled 'Reusable Paper Bag'.
The new US-style paper grocery bags have handles and are a similar capacity to standard plastic carrier bags. They are 100% PEFC accredited meaning they are sourced from forests that are managed responsibly.
Andy Atkinson, Group Customer and Marketing Director, said: “When we listen to customers they want us to help them reduce the amount of plastic they have in their lives. These new paper bags do exactly the same job as standard plastic carrier bags. They are tough, reusable and can help keep a large amount of plastic out of the environment.”
As part of the trial, we’re also increasing the price of standard plastic carrier bags from 10p to 15p to further reduce plastic use.
This follows the removal of our 5p carrier bags early in 2018 which led to 25% reduction in overall bagsales. This 15p standard plastic carrier bag is produced in the UK and is made from recycled material reclaimed from our stores.