Yahoo Finance Boots scraps plastic bags from its UK stores
Boots will scrap all plastic bags from its stores from next year, the company has announced.
The retailer has begun to phase out plastic bags from today, starting in 53 stores across the UK.
The pharmacy and beauty chain says it hopes to take 900 tonnes of plastic out of use as its managing director highlighted the Blue Planet effect in raising awareness of plastic pollution.
Paper bags will be offered instead, with the recycled brown bags costing 5p, 7p or 10p depending on size.
The firm, owned by US firm Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA), said profits will go to BBC Children in Need.
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Seb James, managing director of Boots, said: “Plastic waste is undoubtedly one of the most important issues around the world today with TV shows like Blue Planet highlighting the effects of plastic pollution … the move to unbleached paper bags is another pivotal moment in that journey.
“There is no doubt that our customers expect us to act and this change signifies a huge step away from our reliance on plastic.”
Helen Normoyle, director of marketing at Boots, added: “Our new paper bags have been carefully tested to make sure that, over their entire lifecycle, they are better for the environment, whilst still being a sturdy, practical option for customers who haven’t brought their own bags with them when shopping.”
