Lidl has rolled out paper carrier bags to all UK stores for the first time.
The paper bags have been rolled out gradually at Lidl checkouts since the start of the year, The Grocer understands. At 15p, they cost 25p less than Lidl’s cheapest plastic carrier bag.
Lidl increased the price of its cheapest plastic carrier bag from 30p to 40p last year, in line with several other major supermarkets.
Morrisons and M&S have both phased out cheaper plastic carrier bag options in stores – known as bags for life – in favour 40p paper ones, which were first introduced by the retailers in 2019 and 2022 respectively. Waitrose began phasing out bags for life from stores in 2020 and now offers only heavier duty, more expensive carrier bags, starting at £1.50 for one made from 100% recycled plastic.
Read more: Has Morrisons proved paper bags are more sustainable?
Iceland has offered paper carrier bags since 2018.
Lidl said it had no plans to phase out plastic bags for life in favour of the new paper ones.
It is not the discounter’s first exploration of ways to reduce sales of plastic bags for life. In 2019 it trialled removing them from Welsh stores over concern too many shoppers were treating them as single-use. Shoppers were still able to buy heavier-duty versions.
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