Morrisons brings back paper bags in latest fight against plastic

Photo: Morrisons

Morrisons brings back paper bags in latest fight against plastic

Morrisons is bringing back traditional brown paper bags for loose fruit and veg in its greengrocery areas - in a move that will prevent 150m small plastic bags from being used every year.

The brown paper bags are being rolled out in all 493 Morrisons stores and will be in all stores by the end of the summer.  

The new paper bags are made from 100 per cent recyclable paper. They will have a see-though paper strip – so that customers and Morrisons staff can identify the produce contained within.

The paper bags will come in one size, and can be used for any of Morrisons loose fruit, vegetables and salad items. They will be located in bag dispensers at the corner of each fruit and veg fixture in the store’s greengrocery aisles.

Drew Kirk, fruit and vegetable director at Morrisons, said: “We’ve listened to customers concerns about using plastic bags for fruit and vegetables and that is why we are bringing back paper bags. There’s more work to do, but this step will mean we prevent 150m bags from being used in our stores every year.”

Customers can now also bring their own containers to Morrisons butchers and fishmongers counters. To encourage more people to start using their containers, the supermarket is offering 100 loyalty card points every time they are used - the equivalent of 10p - and will sell containers at reduced prices at both counters. Customers buying meat and fish will also be reminded at checkout that they can bring their container next time.