Sainsbury’s to scrap plastic bags in stores for fruit and veg – and now you have to pay 30p or bring your own
SAINSBURY’S is scrapping plastic bags in store for fresh food purchases from next week, meaning customers will need to bring their own or pay 30p for a reusable carrier.
The supermarket will no longer provide plastic bags for loose fruit and vegetables from September 30.
Shoppers will either need to bring in their own containers or buy a reusable drawstring bag for 30p.
The supermarket is also scrapping plastic bags from the same date for bakery items, but here it will provide free paper bags for shoppers.
Sainsbury's says it's not providing free paper bags for loose fruit and veg because it would increase the grocer's Co2 footprint.
The change will apply in all convenience stores and about 500 supermarkets with more to follow.
Sainsbury’s has around 600 supermarkets in the UK and has pledged to reduce 50 per cent of its plastic use by 2025.
How to save money in the supermarket
A TRIP to the supermarket doesn't have to cost a fortune.
Here we reveal 10 easy ways to cut down on your food shop:
1. Write a list – and stick to it: Planning what you’re going to buy and making sure your trolley doesn’t steer away from it is one of the best ways to not overspend.
2. Make the most of what you buy by meal prepping: Think of dinners that use similar ingredients to avoid throwing away unused and out of date goods.
3. Freeze leftover food: Check if the item can be frozen, then you can defrost and eat it later.
4. Search for yellow sticker discounts: Pricier items like meat and fish can be picked up for pennies if they're nearing their shelf life. You can check when you supermarket should start reducing right here.
5. Bring your own bag: A standard single-use bag typically costs 10p in the supermarket, going all the way up to £1 for “Bags for Life”. Save your money by bringing your own.
6. Don't be afraid to Downshift: Just because something is more expensive, doesn’t mean it’s always better – and it could be needlessly costing you more. recommends the Downshift Challenge to swap out branded goods with cheaper alternatives.
7. Search all height levels on shelves: Stores tend to place more expensive items at eye-level, so checking the bottom shelf could bag you a better deal.
8. Compare prices at different shops: Use price comparison websites to check how the same product fares at a different supermarket. According to comparison website, your bill could be cut by 30 per cent.
9. Set price alerts for when costs go down: You can also set up to keep tabs on when a product goes down in price.
10. Get money back on your shop: Use the app to browse products and once you’ve purchased it, either online or in store, upload the receipt and you’ll be reimbursed. Just be sure to check how many times you can claim the reward and try to only purchase items you actually want.
In addition, the supermarket will no longer use plastic bags when delivering groceries to customers' homes from October 1.
Items will instead be delivered in crates.
Sainsbury’s confirmed the price of deliveries will not change once the plastic bag ban begins.
The supermarket has also confirmed a new trial to replace plastic sleeves on flowers with recyclable paper in 167 stores.
Sainsbury's says the new initiative will remove 10tonnes of plastic from more than 1million bouquets.
The trial started this week and will run for three months.
A Sainsbury’s spokesperson said: “We’re serious about reducing plastic, as evidenced by the ambitious commitments we have made as a business this year.
“The removal of plastic bags from online grocery deliveries is just another example of how we are working to achieve our wider goals.”
In terms of other UK supermarkets, Tesco and Iceland both trialled out packaging-free fresh produce earlier this year.
Tesco and Asda have also ditched plastic bags from their online delivery service, at no extra cost to customers.
While Morrisons has launched dozens of plastic-free fruit and veg areas in May.
Earlier this year, Sainsbury's released reverse vending machines where customers can claim back 5p for every plastic bottle or drinks can they deposit.
But back in July we revealed how Asda, Sainsbury’s and Tesco charge shoppers up to 44 per cent MORE for loose fruit and veg.
Supermarkets are also dodging environmental promises by using thinner plastic, switching away from glass and shrinking products.
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