International Plastic Bag Free Day - 12th September
The world's first Plastic Bag Free Day is on the 12th September 2009. In the UK it is being supported by a network of local groups and coordinated by the Marine Conservation Society. By using a re-usable Bag For Life you can show your support for Plastic Bag Free Day and play a part in preventing more plastic bags from ending up in landfill.
The average UK shopper gets through about 130 plastic bags a year and supermarkets give out over 15 billion bags a year. M&S introduced a 5p charge for food plastic carrier bags back in May 2008, and so far this has helped us reduce the number of single-use plastic bags given out in our food halls by 83%*. The charge has also enabled us to raise £1.2 million to help fund local environmental initiatives in partnership with Groundwork.
You can use the links below to find out more about where the profits from our bag charging go, as well as why we’re doing it:
- How is Groundwork making a difference?
- Kicking the carrier bag habit
- The carrier bag debate – an expert’s view
- Why are we charging for carrier bags?
*83% figure 2008/2009 versus 2006/2007
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