According to the latest statistics the number of carrier bags handed out in UK supermarkets has fallen for the 4th year in a row.
Since plastic bag monitoring began in 2006, 4.6 billion plastic bags have been cut according to the British Retail Consortium. (BRC) 43% fewer carrier bags were used in 2009-10 compared to in 2006, that’s a total of 6.1 billion against 10.7 billion 4 years ago.
BRC Director General, Stephen Robertson said “This is a great achievement by UK supermarkets, customers and staff especially as the amount of goods sold between 2006 to 2009 has risen by 6%.”
The figures have been achieved by supermarkets encouraging customers to re-use carrier bags, use bags for life or charging for each one.
The 7 supermarkets included in the statistics are Asda, M&S, Co-op group, Somerfield, Sainsbury’s, Waitrose and Tesco.

