Morrisons trial could see the supermarket chain ditch all its plastic ‘bags for life’ for paper carriers in a bid to reduce plastic waste.
From Monday (17 August) the supermarket be offering ‘strong paper bags’ instead of reusable plastic ones in eight stores as part of a trial that could see it cut plastic bags for life across all 494 stores.
Morrisons says the paper bags can carry up to 16kg, have handles and can carry up to 13 bottles of wine – as much as the plastic counterparts.
We believe customers are ready to stop using plastic carrier bags as they want to reduce the amount of plastic they have in their lives and keep it out of the environment.
Morrisons said it is concerned and that there is ‘evidence’ that plastic bags for life, which are supposed to be reused and replace single-use plastic carriers, are being used once before being discarded.
It said replacing its plastic bags for life with paper bags would save 90 million plastic bags being used each year, the equivalent of 3,510 tonnes of plastic per year.
Morrisons’ 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 they have in their lives and keep it out of the environment.
“We know that many are taking reusable bags back to store and, if they forget these, we have paper bags that are tough, convenient and a re-useable alternative.”
The news comes as UK supermarkets strive to cut their plastic use.