Did you know that the UK uses 10 billion carrier bags a year? Most of them – about 100,000 tonnes – end up in landfill. That’s the same weight as 70,000 cars. And they can take up to 100 years to rot down. So wherever you live and wherever you shop, try to remember to re-use your old carrier bags, your 'bags for life' or a cloth bag or rucksack instead of picking up a free plastic bag. Whatever you choose, choose to re-use!
It's easy to play your part in reducing carrier bag waste:
- Use your shopping bag as many times as possible
- Remember to take bags with you every time you go shopping
- Keep spare bags in your car or at work so you're never without
- Invest in stronger reusable bags, sometimes known as 'bags for life'
- Let the checkout staff know you've brought your own bag before they pack it for you
- Re-use carrier bags as bin liners
- Some supermarkets will take back old bags for recycling