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M&S to charge 5p for carrier bags M&S to charge 5p for carrier bags
(10 minutes later)
Marks and Spencer is to begin charging its food shoppers for carrier bags.Marks and Spencer is to begin charging its food shoppers for carrier bags.
Customers will have to pay 5p for plastic bags, with the money raised going to an environmental charity.Customers will have to pay 5p for plastic bags, with the money raised going to an environmental charity.
Chief executive Sir Stuart Rose said the company wanted to "make it easy for our customers to do their bit to help the environment".Chief executive Sir Stuart Rose said the company wanted to "make it easy for our customers to do their bit to help the environment".
Campaigners say plastic bags damage the environment. Some 13bn are given free to UK shoppers every year, and they take an estimated 1,000 years to decay.Campaigners say plastic bags damage the environment. Some 13bn are given free to UK shoppers every year, and they take an estimated 1,000 years to decay.
The move by Marks and Spencer follows a trial at 50 of its stores in Northern Ireland and the South West of England, which resulted in demand for polythene bags falling by more than 70%.The move by Marks and Spencer follows a trial at 50 of its stores in Northern Ireland and the South West of England, which resulted in demand for polythene bags falling by more than 70%.
Not only will this scheme reduce the amount of food carrier bags sent to landfill sites but it will also help improve the quality of life in towns and cities across the country Tony Hawkhead, Groundwork Not only will this scheme reduce the amount of food carrier bags sent to landfill sites but it will also help improve the quality of life in towns and cities across the country Tony Hawkhead, Groundwork class="" href="/1/hi/magazine/7071182.stm">In defence of plastic bags
Sir Stuart said that if that figure was replicated across the country, the move could reduce the number of bags used by 280m each year.Sir Stuart said that if that figure was replicated across the country, the move could reduce the number of bags used by 280m each year.
"Just imagine if M&S customers right across the UK cut the number of food bags they use by 70% - that's over 280 million bags they'd be saving every year.
"On top of this, our customers will be raising valuable funds to go to our partner charity, Groundwork, to invest in much-needed green spaces in our neighbourhoods.""On top of this, our customers will be raising valuable funds to go to our partner charity, Groundwork, to invest in much-needed green spaces in our neighbourhoods."
Groundwork chief executive Tony Hawkhead said: "We all want our neighbourhoods to be cleaner and greener, and our experience shows that when a major household name takes the initiative, it can encourage millions of people to change their behaviour. Groundwork is an environmental regeneration charity, and its chief executive Tony Hawkhead said: "We all want our neighbourhoods to be cleaner and greener, and our experience shows that when a major household name takes the initiative, it can encourage millions of people to change their behaviour.
"Not only will this scheme reduce the amount of food carrier bags sent to landfill sites, but it will also help improve the quality of life in towns and cities across the country.""Not only will this scheme reduce the amount of food carrier bags sent to landfill sites, but it will also help improve the quality of life in towns and cities across the country."
Consumption of plastic carrier bags dropped by 90% in Ireland after a tax was introduced on them, which currently stands at 15p. Ireland introduced a tax on plastic bags in 2002, which currently stands at 15p and led to a reduction in their use - but, according to the British Retail Consortium, sales of bin liners across the country subsequently rose.
Supermarket Tesco used 3bn plastic bags last year. It does not charge for them, instead offering bonuses such as extra clubcard points if they re-use bags.Supermarket Tesco used 3bn plastic bags last year. It does not charge for them, instead offering bonuses such as extra clubcard points if they re-use bags.
All food customers at Marks and Spencer will get free long-lasting bags from early April for one month. The 5p charge will then begin on 6 May.All food customers at Marks and Spencer will get free long-lasting bags from early April for one month. The 5p charge will then begin on 6 May.