As part of its drive to reduce waste and lessen the impact on our environment the National Trust will be introducing a 5 pence charge for all plastic bags in its shops and plant centres from Thursday 1 May 2008.
The National Trust will continue to encourage the use of reusable bags by offering its hugely popular jute bag at a reduced price of £1.50 until 2 July 2008.
Head of Commercial Operations for The National Trust, Stuart Richards, says:
‘This is a major step for the National Trust, helping to cut the amount of waste that we generate and encouraging our 3.5 million members and our visitors to use reusable bags.’
With over 220 shops in England, Wales and Northern Ireland this charge is designed to help reduce the number of single-use plastic carrier bags that end up in landfill sites. The additional income generated from this new charge will go towards the important conservation work and research into the impact of climate change being carried out by the National Trust.
This move comes as part of a wider shift by the National Trust to become more environmentally friendly in its shops and restaurants. Starch alternatives to cellophane are used in the packaging of Trust greetings and postcards, confectionary and sandwich boxes. Biodegradable bubble-wrap has been introduced for all packaging leaving the Trust’s distribution centre. The Eco range of gifts available in the shops has been extended to offer more products which help people reduce their carbon footprint.
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