Asda is set to introduce a huge change to all of its UK stores as it prepares to remove plastic bags from its fruit and vegetable aisles.
In a bid to cut down on plastic waste, the supermarket giant is removing more than 100 million pieces of plastic from its shelves a year, with customers asked to purchase a bag or bring their own at all 630 stores nationwide.
Instead, shoppers will be able to purchase a reusable 30p option made from recycled plastic bottles, reports the Mirror.
The news follows a successful nine-store trial in September, in locations including Harrogate, Killingbeck, Middleton, Quedgeley, Swansea as well as two shops in York.
Under the new system, classic bags will be replaced by Veggio bags - which are made from recycled plastic water bottles - and priced at 30p each.
During the trial period, Asda said it sold an average of 30,000 bags each week as customers got behind its efforts to tackle plastic pollution.
Asda has also announced it will remove plastic punnets from conference pears, saving an additional 170 tonnes of plastic each year.
Dominic Edwards. Asda’s director of produce, said:”We know that our customers and colleagues are really passionate about doing the right thing for the environment and this move is just another way we are helping them make sustainable choices, without compromising on the quality of our produce.
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"Following some really positive feedback on our trial, we’re excited to roll out the removal of the plastic bags across all our stores, as we continue to work towards our plastic reduction targets as a business."
Asda is not the only retailer to make this move, with rival Sainsbury’s having removed free plastic bags for fruit and veg in stores and replaced them with 30p versions last year.
Tesco has also axed plastic bags for online shopping deliveries – it now uses green crates instead.
Morrisons said it would be replacing all plastic bags for life with paper ones that cost 30p last year too.
