People given a month to bag a free bag for life

Monday 7th April 2008, 2:29PM BST.

Till controller Anne Stephenson with the bags for life being given away with most transactions at the M&S Simply Food franchises until 6 May. (Picture by Adrian Miller, 0560546)

A FOOD retailer yesterday took another step in the campaign to reduce plastic bag use.

The Marks & Spencer Simply Food franchises will be giving away a bag for life with most transactions until 6 May, when the bigger supermarkets begin charging 5p for a standard carrier.

The bags for life are made from 100% recycled plastic and shoppers are being asked to reuse them. Worn out bags can be returned to the stores where they will be exchanged free of charge.