Materials

Retailer Waitrose is refusing to jump on the biodegradable bag bandwagon, blaming a lack of composting facilities.

“Without these, carrier bags will continue to be disposed of in landfill sites, where they will emit powerful greenhouse gases,” said Nick Monger-Godfrey, head of corporate social responsibility for parent company John Lewis Partnership.

However, unnecessary use of plastic bags remains an ongoing concern for the retailer.

“Because a number of other retailers have switched to biodegradable sources, it is only right we review our position,” said Monger-Godfrey, referring to Tesco’s decision to make all its bags biodegradable from September.

“We have evaluated in detail the environmental and commercial viability of biodegradable bags and we do not believe that the time is right to switch.”

Instead, Waitrose will focus on recycling as the “most environmentally effective solution”. A trial of recycling facilities has been given the go-ahead to roll out across the company this year.

According to a Waitrose spokeswoman, packaging consumption relative to sales at the retailer is down 24 per cent since 2002.

Waitrose claims to have avoided the use of around 50m carrier bags each year and 6,000 tonnes of packaging since introducing its ‘bag for life’ scheme in 1997.