A pioneering scheme to make better use of the humble carrier bag which has been run at a Highbridge supermarket is being expanded nationwide this week.
The Co-operative Food Store in Southwell Crescent, Highbridge is one of several stores across Somerset that have been selling compostable carrier bags which can be used to carry shopping home and then be re-used as food waste bin liners or help with home composting.
The 6p bags have proved a big success and are now being rolled out to about 400 stores across the country in the 81 council areas that collect food waste.
The Co-operative’s compostable bag is made of natural materials that can be composted with food to later grow fruit and vegetables in a perfect “closed loop” cycle.
Carrying the official seedling label and certified to the EN13432 standard, the compostable bags are still strong enough for all usual shopping, says the Co-operative.
Somerset Waste Partnership (SWP) managing director Steve Read added: “The Co-operative’s provision of compostable carrier bags is an excellent initiative. In Somerset it has allowed customers to take home their shopping and then use the same bags to line their food waste caddies.”
“It saves them having to buy special liners, and has encouraged more people to support our food waste collections.”
