Shops ’must prioritise plastic bag use’

British retailers must do more to reduce the number of plastic bags used by their customers, it has been claimed.

Supreme Creations, which produces "bags for life" for several major supermarket chains, suggested that the UK is lagging behind other European countries when it comes to restricting the use of plastic carrier bags, the Guardian reports.

Speaking earlier this week, company founder Dr R Sri Ram said the issue had "dropped off the radar" of some retailers – perhaps due to the economic downturn.

"However, it is the responsibility of retailers to work with consumers to come up with innovative alternatives to help people switch from environmentally damaging plastic bags," he added.

Single-use bags are already banned or heavily taxed in several countries such as Ireland and South Africa.

Marks and Spencer recently began charging five pence for its carrier bags, with profits being donated to an environmental charity.

Written by Claire Manning