MANCHESTER, UK, 2015-2-6 — /EPR Retail News/ — The Co-operative Food pledges to reinvest the profits from its entire carrier bag range in Wales to good causes. A move that is in addition to the money raised by The Co-operative through the existing statutory 5p charge on single-use bags, which is supporting conservation programmes in Wales.
Co-operative Food stores across Wales are to stock a new range of longer-life reusable carrier bags, which as well as helping the environment will allow shoppers to raise bags more cash for good causes.
The community retailer, which has more than 150 food stores in Wales, has today (Wednesday, 4 February) pledged to reinvest the profits from its entire carrier bag range to good causes.
This is in addition to the money raised by The Co-operative through the existing statutory 5p charge on single-use bags, which is supporting conservation programmes in Wales*.
The Co-operative Food expects to raise hundreds of thousands of pounds in the next 12 months, with all of the additional money reinvested in community projects across Wales.
The move means that money made by The Co-operative Food on sales of its new woven reusable large shopping bag, a new woven reusable small shopping bag (which doubles as a bottle carrier) and new fold-away bags (all available for £1 each), as well as its redesigned 10p bag for life, will go to good causes.
Matthew Speight, The Co-operative Food’s Divisional Managing Director for Wales, said:
“We have a strong commitment to the environment, and to supporting local communities.
“While we share the aspiration of continuing to reduce the numbers of single-use plastic carrier bags that are in circulation, by buying any of our new range of carriers, customers will not only be contributing to the environment, but they’ll be helping good causes in Wales as well – together we can reduce, reuse, recycle, and also reinvest, in Wales.”
The Co-operative Food will confirm which good causes can bid for the additional funding generated by bag sales, and how they can apply, during 2015.
The new fold-away bags are made from 100% recycled materials are available in black or turquoise. The large and small woven bags, made from 80% recycled materials, are turquoise and decorated a with a “carrier bags are rubbish” design. The small woven bag can double as a bottle carrier. The bags can be recycled at Salvation Army textile recycling banks.
Further information on The Co-operative Food’s range of carrier bags, and how to recycle them, can be found at www.co-operativefood.co.uk/carrier-bags
Notes to editors:
The Co-operative Group, which is the UK’s largest co-operative business with interests across food, funerals, insurance and legal services, has a clear purpose of “championing a better way of doing business for you and your communities”. Owned by millions of UK consumers, The Co-operative Group operates a total of 3,750 outlets, with more than 70,000 employees and an annual turnover of approximately £11 billion. In Wales, The Co-operative Group operates from around 200 stores and branches, and has 500,000 members.
*For example, The Welsh Wildlife Heroes programme: www.wtwales.org/welshwildlifeheroes
Further information:
Andrew Torr
The Co-operative Group Press Office
Tel: 07702 505551
Email: andrew.torr@co-operative.coop
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