Boots has become the first beauty retailer in the UK to remove single-use plastic bags from its operations, opting for the more eco-friendly paper bags.
The policy is set to roll out initially across 53 of its UK stores, will be introduced to all 2,485 shops by early 2020.
This, the retailer hopes, will remove more than 900 tonnes of plastic from Boots’ store operations annually.
In 2018, the UK government introduced a law requiring all supermarkets and large stores to charge 5p for every single-use plastic carrier bag.
Seb James, Boots’s Senior VP and Managing Director said the move was a “pivotal moment” for the retailer.
“There is no doubt that our customers expect us to act and this change signifies a huge step away from our reliance on plastic.”
Research of 6,000 customers found 92% were concerned about the number of plastic bags being used in the UK.
Meanwhile, 94% of shoppers agreed it was a good idea to move to paper bags.
Helen Normoyle, Boots’ Director of Marketing, added: “Our new paper bags have been carefully tested to make sure that over their entire life cycle they are better for the environment.”
Customers will still have to pay five, seven or ten pence for a bag, but all profits will be donated to BBC’s Children in Need charity.
Read more on how the beauty industry is pushing sustainability below:
- Holland & Barrett ditches wet wipes in fresh sustainability push
- Lush extends 'Naked' concept with new digital tool
- John Lewis backs sustainability efforts with TerraCycle
