Supermarket chain Morrisons has started trials which could see it remove plastic bags from all of its 494 stores.

From Monday, it will be removing all plastic bags at checkouts in eight supermarkets, with paper alternatives being offered instead.

If the 12-week trial is successful, Morrisons will be rolling out the initiative across all stores, becoming the first supermarket to remove all plastic bags at checkouts.

The paper bags, which cost 30p, have handles and are strong enough to carry up to 16kg, the equivalent of 13 bottles of wine.

Removing plastic bags across all stores would save 90 million of them from being used – removing 3,510 tonnes of plastic a year.

At the start of last year, Morrisons was the first supermarket to introduce paper bags across all stores, with one in three customers switching to this option.

The supermarket is on track to meet its 50% plastic reduction target by 2025.

Chief executive of Morrisons, 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.”

He added: “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 reusable alternative.”

Source: Read Full Article