UK retailer Boots are starting to replace plastic bags with brown paper bags too cut down the use of single-use plastic. The retailer is also introducing bleached paper dispensing bags for prescriptions.
Prescriptions at its central pharmacy will be sent out in plastic packaging even though it has been criticized by customers. Boots commented on the matter saying the bags need to be durable and the plastic is recyclable.
The new paper bags will start of in 53 of its 2,485 stores but by early 2020 all of its chains will be using paper bags. The bags will cost 5p, 7p and 10p – there current plastic bags cost 5p or 10p depending on size. Profits from the paper bags will go to BBC Children in Need.
We are changing our plastic bags to 100% recyclable brown paper bags, with all profits going to @BBCCiN. pic.twitter.com/w8df8FP7wl
— Boots (@BootsUK) June 24, 2019
Seb James, senior vice president and managing director of Boots UK, 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.
“This year, we are transforming Boots as we celebrate 170 years, and 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.”
The 53 stores to start selling paper bags are:
- Nottingham Victoria Centre
- Derby Intu Shopping Centre
- Sheffield Meadowhall Shopping Centre
- Cambridge Petty Cury,
- Peterborough Queensgate Centre
- Manchester Trafford Centre
- London Canary Wharf Canada
- Bristol Broadmead
- Milton Keynes Crown Walk,
- Exeter High Street
- Cardiff Queen Street
- Oxford Cornmarket Street
- Plymouth Drake Circus
- Leeds Trinity
- Belfast Donegal Place
- Edinburgh 101 Princes Street
- Aberdeen Bon Accord Centre
- Newcastle Eldon Square
- London Sedley Place
- London Brent Cross Shopping Centre
- London Liverpool St Station
- Watford The Harlequin
- Bromley The Glades Shopping Centre
- Kingston Upon Thames Union Street
- London Kensington
- Southampton Above Bar Street
- West Thurrock Lakeside Shopping Centre
- Brighton North Street
- Jersey St Helier Queen Street
- London Piccadilly Circus
- Dartford Bluewater Park
- London 193 Oxford Street
- Liverpool Clayton Square Shopping Centre
- Manchester Market Street
- Birmingham High Street
- Canterbury Whitefriars Shopping Centre
- Chelmsford High Chelmer
- London White City Shopping Centre
- York 43 Coney Street
- Bath Southgate Centre
- London Stratford City
- Dudley Merry Hill Centre
- Bristol Cribbs Causeway
- Reading Oracle Centre
- Lincoln High Street
- Gateshead Metro Centre
- Salcombe Fore Street
- Glasgow Braehead Centre
- Glasgow Buchanan Gallery
- Liverpool New Mersey Retail Park
- Leicester Fosse Park
- Glasgow Fort
- Covent Garden
Helen Normoyle, director of marketing at Boots, said: “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.”
