Morrisons ditches plastic bags for life because shoppers bin them after one use — but will trial PAPER alternative

MORRISONS is ditching plastic bags for life because shoppers use them once then bin them. It will begin a trial offering only sturdy paper bags in eight stores on Monday. If rolled out across all 494 stores it would mean the end of 90million plastic bags a year — the equivalent of 3,510 tons. Chief […]

MORRISONS is ditching plastic bags for life because shoppers use them once then bin them.

It will begin a trial offering only sturdy paper bags in eight stores on Monday.

Mikael Buck/Morrisons. PR handout free for editorial use.

Morrisons is trial offering only sturdy paper bags in eight stores from Monday as it says shoppers use plastic bags for life once before binning them[/caption]

If rolled out across all 494 stores it would mean the end of 90million plastic bags a year — the equivalent of 3,510 tons.

Chief executive David Potts said: “We believe customers are ready to stop using plastic carrier bags as they want to reduce the amount of plastic and keep it out of the environment.

“We know many are taking reusable bags back to store and, if they forget, we have paper bags that are tough, convenient and a re-useable alternative.”

About 7.6billion plastic bags a year were handed out by UK supermarkets before the 5p charge was introduced in 2015.

Morrisons says its paper bag with handles, which costs 20p, can carry up to 16kg.

It will take a similar amount of items as the plastic version but is easily recyclable.

Morrisons charged 30p for a plastic bag for life, with the money raised going to charity.

It charges 5p for single-use carrier bags used in deliveries to online customers

Sainsbury’s claimed to be the first UK supermarket to remove plastic bags for loose fruit, vegetables and bakery items.

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