Millions of fewer carrier bags
In February 2006, twenty one retailers pledged to reduce the environmental impact of carrier bags. The 21 retailers were: Asda, Boots, Co-operative Group, Debenhams, DSG Retail Ltd (Dixons and Currys), E H Booths & Co Ltd, Home Retail Group, John Lewis Partnership (John Lewis and Waitrose), Marks & Spencer, Next Group plc, Nisa Todays, Primark Stores Ltd, Sainsbury's, Somerfield Group, Spar (UK) Ltd, Tesco, Travis Perkins (Wickes), Wm Morrison Supermarkets plc.
In May 2009, 452 million single issue carrier bags were handed out in the UK, compared with 870 million in May 2006. This represents a 48 per cent reduction, narrowly missing the target of 50 per cent.
This is a substantial reduction in raw material use and material going to waste. Of course if they had just been banned or taxed out of the market the effect would have been a lot more dramatic, in these times of tightening purse strings I am sure the supermarkets would welcome it.
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All it needs to stop this problem escalating is for all supermarkets to announce that they will issue no further bags to shoppers, fre or otherwise. People will soon adapt to using and re-using what they already have. It will take time but it can be done.