Holland & Barrett has introduced a 5p charge for paper bags to encourage customers to ditch single-use bags altogether.
Profits from the move will be donated to a range of charities supported by the brand.
The health and wellness retailer was an early adopter of measures to turn customers away from plastic usage, banning plastic bags from its 800 stores in 2009 - six years before the government’s introduction of the 5p charge.
Holland & Barrett said it hoped the new move would act as a reminder for customers to “think twice” about their single-use bag usage and continue to change their behaviour for the better.
“Although Holland & Barrett’s paper bags don’t provide a detrimental effect to the planet, they do use our precious natural resources and additional energy in the recycling process,” said group innovation director Hilary Leam.
“It’s part of our commitment to supporting our customers towards reusing key materials and reducing their waste.”
The 5p (7 cents in Ireland) paper bag charge will be rolled out from this week.
Holland & Barrett has already banned microplastics from all its products, as well as only stocking products which are free from SLS and parabens. And in May 2019, it became the first high street retailer to announce an intention to ban wet wipes from its UK and Ireland stores, with all 34 products in its wet wipe range being delisted.
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