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Marks and Spencer cuts plastic bag use by 80%Marks and Spencer 5p charge cuts bags given out

06 May 2009

M&S plastic bag

Marks and Spencer says it has cut the number of plastic bags handed out to shoppers by 83% in the past year.

Marks and Spencer, which did well in our latest survey of Which? members' favourite high street shops, told Which? that since charging shoppers 5p for plastic bags, it has cut the number of bags handed out from 464 million to 77 million.

If you want to cut the number of plastic bags you use, take a look at some great Which? tips in our free guide on reducing plastic bag use.

Marks and Spencer bag charge

Marks and Spencer, along with Asda, the Co-operative, Sainsbury's, Somerfield, Tesco and Waitrose committed to handing out half the  single use bags they gave out in 2006, by the end of May this year.

Marks and Spencer launched a 5p charge on all plastic bags given out to shoppers last May as part of its Plan A scheme to cut waste. The charge applies only to food carrier bags.

For other simple ways to live a greener lifestyle, take a look at some top Which? tips.

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