Tesco to replace 5p carrier bags with 'bags for life'

The supermarket giant said the new bags will be made from 94% recycled plastic and will cost shoppers 10p.

Sales of the new ‘bag for life’ will fund community projects across the UK.

Tesco said the switch will be made on August 28, following a successful 10-week trial at its stores in Norwich, Aberdeen and Dundee.

The grocer said customers bought “significantly fewer bags” during the period.

Online Tesco shoppers will still be able to request single-use carrier bags for their orders or select bagless delivery.

More than half of Tesco’s online customers already choose bagless delivery for their grocery shopping.

Tesco has given out 1.5 billion fewer single-use carrier bags since the 5p charge was implemented in 2015, but it still sells more than 700 million every year.

‘The right thing to do’

Britain’s biggest retailer is making the move in order to reduce the number of bags sold and reduce the volume of litter and bags sent to landfill.

Tesco’s UK and Ireland boss Matt Davies said: “The number of bags being bought by our customers has already reduced dramatically.

“Today’s move will help our customers use even fewer bags but ensure that those sold in our stores continue to fund thousands of community projects across the country chosen by customers.

“It’s the right thing to do for the environment and for local communities.”

Tesco’s new ‘bag for life’ will help fund its Bags of Help scheme, which awards grants to community projects across the country.

The initiative, delivered in partnership with Groundwork, has already dished out more than £33m to almost 6,500 local causes.

Environment Minister Thérèse Coffey added said: “Since we introduced the 5p charge in 2015, the number of single-use plastic bags taken home has plummeted by 83%.

“I welcome Tesco wanting to go further and help their customers use even fewer plastic bags.

“The switch to a Bag for Life will continue to help reduce litter and boost recycling – helping to leave the environment in a better state than we found it.”