Our bags are compostable or reusable
Back in 2008, we were one of the first retailers to start charging for single-use carrier bags, and by the end of 2015 we stopped selling them altogether.
Today, we sell a compostable bag and reusable plastic carrier bags. We've spent a great deal of time finding the most suitable bags for our customers, whilst also looking at their environmental impact. New to our range, and to eventually replace all our reusable carriers, is a plastic bag made using 100% recycled LDPR (low density polyethylene). This material is used to make carrier bags and food wrappers, for items such as bread and frozen foods, and is widely recycled.
Made from a sustainable source, our plastic bags are recyclable and when they are worn-out, we will replace them free-of-charge and ensure the old ones are recycled.
Plastic Vs Paper
We're often contacted by our customers asking if we have considered replacing our plastic carrier-bags with paper ones.
In 2011, a report from the Environment Agency concluded that the environmental impact of paper bags was comparable, or even higher, to that of plastic.
The research looked at the process from start to finish, including transportation of the raw materials, the emissions throughout the process and the end of life recycling. They found that the carbon footprint was four times that of plastic bags.
We are continuously looking at what is available and what the best options are, both for the planer and for our customers.