Marks and Spencers to charge for plastic bags

In a surprise move from the well-meaning chain that was recently exposed as having the lowest green rating for packaging, M&S has announced it is to charge customers for plastic bags.

The decision follows a successful trial in Northern Ireland, which has led to a 66 per cent reduction in the number of bags used by shoppers. M&S plans to begin the 5p 'bag tax' initially in South West England, and then roll it out across the rest of the UK. It will 'soften the blow' by offering re-usable bags to customers for free in the weeks leading to the switch, which will take place in February 2008.

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M&S chief Stuart Rose, who launched the 'Plan A' project to slash the chain's environmental impact earlier in the year said yesterday: "Our initial trial in Northern Ireland has shown us that introducing charging does make customers think twice about the number of bags they use, which is why we are extending our carrier bag charging trial to the South West of England."

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