Carrier bag charging works – we know this through our trials
Sir Stuart Rose, M&S
The firm announced yesterday that it would be charging 5p for every single use carrier bag used by customers in a bid to reduce the number of bags which are thrown away.
All proceeds will be donated to environmental charity Groundwork, to invest in parks, play areas and gardens around the UK, it explained.
The initiative forms part of a wider commitment by Marks & Spencer's to reduce carrier bag usage by a third and send no waste to landfill by 2012, under proposals known as “Plan A” (see letsrecycle.com story).
Scottish environment secretary Richard Lochead said: “This is an excellent example of how a retailer can help cut down the number of single use carrier bags by its customers and I congratulate Marks and Spencer on their forward thinking. It is very encouraging to see a major retailer adopting measures to protect the environment.”
He added: “We must all reuse and recycle bags as much as possible and whenever we're at a checkout ask ourselves the question – ‘do I need a bag?' If the voluntary agreement doesn't produce results then we will have to look again at further action, including considering legislation.”
Reusable
Over the last month, M&S has handed out over 15 million free reusable bags for life to customers in preparation from the change, which were made from 100 per cent recycled plastic. From yesterday, they have reverted to their original price of 10p and will be replaced free of charge by M&S when they are worn out.
Based on data from 19 UK retailers, 12.4 billion bags were used in the UK in 2007 – using 93,000 tonnes of virgin polymer.
Sir Stuart Rose, M&S chief executive, said: “Carrier bag charging works – we know this through our trials – that around 70% of our customers will stop using single use carrier bags and will switch to using our bags for life.
“However, through our partnership with Groundwork, M&S customers can be reassured that if they do need to buy a single use bag, all the profits from their 5p will be invested in improving neighbourhoods across the UK.”
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