WRAP-backed plastic bag reuse campaign launched

The reusable bag campaign will be trialled in Bristol and Edinburgh for six weeks from September 19, and will involve supermarkets and high street chains including Tesco, ASDA, Somerfield, the Cooperative Group and Boots.

” We are not really starting something new, but are trying to revive the habit of using shopping bags again “
– Dr Richard Swannell, WRAP
Customers at participating stores will be encouraged to “Choose to Reuse” with durable bags for their shopping in an effort to curb new carrier bag take-up.

There will be extensive local activities in the two trial areas promoting the campaign message to customers as well as a targeted public relations programme with in-store materials promoting the reusable bags sold at checkouts.

Priority
Dr Richard Swannell, WRAP's head of innovation, said: “Reducing the amount of rubbish we throw away is an important national priority. The free carrier bags that we rely upon are part of this problem and the &#39C;hoose to Reuse' campaign is about encouraging us all to reuse rather than throw away.

“We are not really starting something new, but are trying to revive the habit of using shopping bags again. The challenge for us is to encourage shoppers to remember to take their shopping bag with then each time they go out, in the same way that they would take their keys or purse,” he added.

BRC

Mr Swannell also said that it was great to see major retailers working together so positively. Also supporting the campaign is the British Retail Consortium, Scottish Retail Consortium, Scottish Waste Awareness Group and the Scottish Executive.

BRC director general, Kevin Hawkins, said: “We welcome the pilot scheme organised by WRAP as an innovative way of encouraging consumers to make a conscious effort to reduce the number of plastic bags currently in circulation.”