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Supermarkets donate plastic bag proceeds to dementia fund Supermarkets donate plastic bag proceeds to dementia fund
(2 days later)
Four of the UK’s biggest supermarkets have announced they will put proceeds from the 5p carrier bag charge into a single fund to fight dementia.Four of the UK’s biggest supermarkets have announced they will put proceeds from the 5p carrier bag charge into a single fund to fight dementia.
Asda, Iceland, Morrisons and Waitrose have pledged funds from the levy on single-use carrier bags to support the construction of a world-class dementia research centre at UCL in London.Asda, Iceland, Morrisons and Waitrose have pledged funds from the levy on single-use carrier bags to support the construction of a world-class dementia research centre at UCL in London.
Related: Why is dementia with Lewy bodies so ignored? | Letters
Building the centre will cost £350m, but the project has a funding shortfall of £100m. The four retailers said the cash generated by bag sales had the potential to bridge much of the gap if other major retailers joined them.Building the centre will cost £350m, but the project has a funding shortfall of £100m. The four retailers said the cash generated by bag sales had the potential to bridge much of the gap if other major retailers joined them.
It is estimated that it could raise up to £20m a year for the four, depending on how customers react to the new charge, and they are urging other food retailers to sign up.It is estimated that it could raise up to £20m a year for the four, depending on how customers react to the new charge, and they are urging other food retailers to sign up.
In a letter to them, the four store heads said: “The carrier bag levy is a windfall amount of money for good causes that retailers can tap into on top of their normal fundraising activities. Just one year’s money from all major retailers would easily make up this shortfall.”In a letter to them, the four store heads said: “The carrier bag levy is a windfall amount of money for good causes that retailers can tap into on top of their normal fundraising activities. Just one year’s money from all major retailers would easily make up this shortfall.”
Iceland said it would donate all of the proceeds of bag sales in England after VAT for at least two years, while Waitrose has so far committed to give the next year’s proceeds to the scheme.Iceland said it would donate all of the proceeds of bag sales in England after VAT for at least two years, while Waitrose has so far committed to give the next year’s proceeds to the scheme.
UCL said no overheads would be taken from the money raised, so all funds would go to support dementia research.UCL said no overheads would be taken from the money raised, so all funds would go to support dementia research.
Hilary Evans, chief executive of Alzheimer’s Research UK, said: “It’s enormously encouraging to see major retailers with huge influence over the public putting themselves forward to help solve the dementia challenge.Hilary Evans, chief executive of Alzheimer’s Research UK, said: “It’s enormously encouraging to see major retailers with huge influence over the public putting themselves forward to help solve the dementia challenge.
“With a global aim to produce a disease-modifying treatment that can bring relief to people with dementia by 2025, dementia research has big ambitions and will need big initiatives to realise them.”“With a global aim to produce a disease-modifying treatment that can bring relief to people with dementia by 2025, dementia research has big ambitions and will need big initiatives to realise them.”
Carrier bag charges were introduced in England on Monday 5 October to reduce waste, following the success of similar schemes in the rest of the UK. Retailers pay 0.83p of each 5p charge in VAT, but are expected to donate the rest to good causes.Carrier bag charges were introduced in England on Monday 5 October to reduce waste, following the success of similar schemes in the rest of the UK. Retailers pay 0.83p of each 5p charge in VAT, but are expected to donate the rest to good causes.
High-street retailer Wilko has announced that it will split the proceeds from sales in England five ways, with the charities In Kind Direct, WRAP, the Woodland Trust and The Prince’s Trust each getting 20%, and the final fifth going to regional groups of each stores’ choice.High-street retailer Wilko has announced that it will split the proceeds from sales in England five ways, with the charities In Kind Direct, WRAP, the Woodland Trust and The Prince’s Trust each getting 20%, and the final fifth going to regional groups of each stores’ choice.
Last week Sainsbury’s told the Guardian that stores would be able to chose local causes to donate to, while Marks & Spencer said money would be shared betweem local charities and a selection of national groups.Last week Sainsbury’s told the Guardian that stores would be able to chose local causes to donate to, while Marks & Spencer said money would be shared betweem local charities and a selection of national groups.