M&S to charge food shoppers for plastic bags

Marks and Spencer will charge food customers 5p for every plastic carrier bag they use from May, the Guardian reports.

The store announced that the charge was aimed at reducing demand for the bags, which campaigners say damage the environment.

Marks and Spencer said money raised from the levy would be spent on improving parks and play areas across the country.

Around 13bn plastic bags, which experts say can take up to 1,000 years to decay, are given free to UK shoppers every year.

The store will give all food customers free long-lasting bags from early April for one month.

From the source:

Marks & Spencer press release

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