Labelling

Sainsbury’s has announced plans to replace its white carrier bags with bags made from 33 per cent recycled material.

The new orange bags are introduced this month and will save 6,500 tonnes of plastic a year, claims the retailer. The old-style bag will be phased out by February.

The new Sainsbury’s bags will be made up of 57 per cent raw plastic and 10 per cent chalk as well as the recycled material. “This is a major green step forwards, because recycling carrier bags – very much like lots of our packaging – means we’re cutting down on plastic use as well as what goes to landfill,” said Justin King, Sainsbury’s chief executive.

The announcement by Sainsbury’s is the latest in a series of ‘green schemes’ unveiled by retailers.

Tesco introduced biodegradable carrier bags last month, offering loyalty points to customers who reuse old bags – even if they are from rival stores.  Asda says that all fresh produce will use compostable packaging by next June, while parent company Wal-Mart has said it will cut packaging by five per cent over a five-year period.