ACS

ASDA has announced the roll out of a successful trial to remove single use carrier bags from checkouts across its 355 stores.

In a recent six -store trial there was a dramatic rise in the purchase of re-useable bags with an increase of 1200 per cent across the six stores. During the trial ASDA saw an average 40% reduction in the number of single use carrier bags used by customers.
The initiative will help the retailer reach the DEFRA voluntary commitment to reduce the environmental impact of plastic bags by 25% by the end of this year. Following the success of the pilot, and to coincide with the start of National Recycle Week, from 1st June all single use carrier bags will be removed from view and placed under the direct control of each checkout operator in every ASDA store, encouraging customers to choose an ASDA 'bag for life' as a sustainable and affordable alternative.

Customers who choose a re-usable bag could soon be rewarded with money off their weekly shop as an incentive for taking the greener option. The new trial is designed to help customers change the habit of a lifetime.

The 'choose to reuse' initiative will coincide with the introduction of a new range of must have 'bags for life' and reusable bags - all of which will be available in prominent positions on the end of checkouts.