Plastic bag use down, but still more to do

According to the Guardian, Tesco has reported a 40 percent drop in the number of plastic bags handed out over the last two years - a drop of 20 million bags a week. They have encouraged customers to re-use bags by giving Green Clubcard Points.

They say that they don't intend to charge for single-use bags, but they will no longer be on display at the checkouts - people will have to ask if they want them.

Marks and Spencer are among stores that have started charging, and their plastic bag use has dropped by 80 percent since May, a reduction of 7 million a week. Profits from the charges, over £200,000, are going to the Groundwork charity to create new parks and play areas.

The Republic of Ireland instituted charges for bags in 2002 and saw a fall of 90 percent. Certain major supermarkets in France have yet another approach - they just don't have single-use carriers. You can't get them even if you ask for them.

Our Government has said that if stores do not introduce a charging policy voluntarily, they will be forced to under the proposed Climate Change Bill. Perhaps Tesco can achieve the same effect by their "hearts and minds" approach.

The size of the problem: According to the Telegraph, shops in Britain hand out almost 250 million plastic bags per week. Their average useful life is just 20 minutes from shop to bin.