Tesco among ringleaders to ditch plastic bags

by XPRESS, 25 July 2019

Tesco has announced they will no longer be using plastic carrier bags for customer using their online delivery services. The decision comes after months of successful trials at 33 different locations, which resulted in reduced carbon footprint. The supermarket giant aims to remove 250 million plastic bags per year from use as well as up two tonnes of plastic used elsewhere.

Last week Asda made a similar pledge, promising to cease the use of their plastic carrier bags for home deliveries. Boots announced it would be replacing all plastic bags with non-bleached paper alternatives. Iceland have begun trialling a plastic bag-free store in London, which is part of a leading initiative to remove all plastic from their own products.

Tesco plan to delivery customers' orders in reusable trays, which drivers will take away with them. Help will be available to unload the groceries should customers want. The only plastic bags to be used in home deliveries are those required by law - small red bags separating red from white meat and cleaning products. Customers can give these bags back to delivery drivers, who will ensure that they are recycled. These new changes will come into effect on August 19th.

Emma Richardson