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Post by whisker on Aug 3, 2011 4:47:31 GMT
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Post by whisker on Aug 9, 2011 4:40:32 GMT
Charging for plastic bags is the only way to deliver meaningful reductions in the billions handed out at tills every year, according to bosses at Marks & Spencer.
It can be twice as effective as other initiatives such as removing bags from the end of checkouts, they say.
Marks & Spencer was the first major high street chain to introduce charging in May 2008 in response to the Daily Mail’s Banish the Bags campaign. It charges 5p for a food carrier.
Richard Gillies, director of sustainable business at the retailer, said: ‘From our experience, the only way to significantly reduce carrier bag use is to charge.
‘Our pre-charging trials showed that initiatives such as reminding customers to re-use, and removing readily available bags from till ends, does work, but will only deliver a 30-40 per cent reduction. To go to the next level – 80 per cent plus – we believe you have to charge.’
It is thought other major chains accept that the introduction of charging is now inevitable, but it will require a Government decision to make it happen.
One supermarket industry insider told The Grocer magazine: ‘It would be easier for us to sell to customers if it were the Government making us do it rather than being our choice.’
Supermarkets have failed to deliver on a promise to reduce the number of throwaway bags given out each day.
Marks & Spencer was the first major high street chain to introduce charging in May 2008 in response to the Daily Mail¿s Banish the Bags campaign
The number issued by large retailers rose by 333million last year to 6.4billion, while the UK total is likely to be more than 10billion.
That equates to more than 380 per household. Most end up in landfill, while others litter towns, cities, parks and waterways.
The increase in bag numbers came despite claims from retailers such as Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Asda that voluntary measures including putting them out of sight on checkouts would reduce the figure.
All stores in Wales will have to add a 5p charge from October 1, a similar scheme is being put forward in Northern Ireland and there is political pressure in Westminster and Scotland to follow suit.
Mr Gillies said the fact that the number of bags issued rose last year showed why the debate over charging must be heard again.
The increase in bag numbers came despite claims from supermarkets such as Tesco that voluntary measures, including putting them out of sight on checkouts, would reduce the figure
He added that M&S’s decision to impose charges in 2008 had been extremely difficult.
However, he said: ‘The results were immediate and staggering. We hit an 80 per cent reduction within a matter of months. And thankfully, that level has been maintained ever since.’
The number of carrier bags issued came down from more than 500million a year to around 90million, meaning almost one billion fewer have been used.
The chain takes no profit from the charge through which it has raised £4million for charity.
Mr Gillies said: ‘This has been reinvested back into community projects the length and breadth of the country with the creation of 100 green urban spaces that we can all benefit from. A win-win result.’
The number of plastic bags given away by large retailers rose by 333million last year to 6.4billion, equating to more than 380 per household
Over the next three years, M&S will donate another £3million to help clean up Britain’s beaches and support threatened species such as turtles and dolphins.
Mr Gillies said: ‘Despite our proven success, there are still people who question the environmental logic behind championing a carrier bag reduction campaign.
'They have many valuable arguments, but are missing an important point.
‘What is so vitally important about carrier bags is that it is an opportunity for customers to play their part.
‘We all know that we need to learn to use the world’s resources more carefully and, as individuals, take action where we can.
‘Using fewer carrier bags is an important change in behaviour that helps preserve the world’s precious natural resources. We just need to make it happen.’
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Post by elaine on Aug 9, 2011 8:20:05 GMT
I don't think charging 5p will make a lot of difference to be honest, they should charge more, or do not supply bags.
Market traders, and the Poundland are the worst!!!!. In Poundland, I practically have to snatch my goods before they are put in a plastic carrier bag.
Even when I say..." I have my own bag thankyou" they look at you like you are mad, and one assistant said...".But it's advertising us"
Maybe I do NOT want to advertise nor pollute the world.
As I walked out she went...." Oh one of those..don't want a bag, don't want no one to know I shop cheap"
I won't go to her till next time, cheeky cow.
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