London Councils welcomes Marks & Spencer’s ‘shining example’ 

Welcoming today's announcement from Marks & Spencer that the chain plans to stop offering free throwaway shopping bags from May, London Councils Chairman Councillor Merrick Cockell said:

"I applaud Marks & Spencer for setting a shining example to other major retailers on throwaway shopping bags. Their decision to stop offering free throwaway shopping bags demonstrates what can be achieved when businesses choose to take a lead on today's most important issues.

"Free throwaway shopping bags are a menace to the environment, and we all need to work together to reduce the damage they can cause in the UK and around the world. This is why London Councils has recently deposited a private Bill to Parliament that will bring about a ban on single-use throwaway shopping bags in the capital. We will soon be contacting Londoners to let them know how they can help us ensure the capital takes a bold lead in banning throwaway bags."

Londoners throw away more than 1 billion shopping bags a year, often after using them just once. Many of these can take over 400 years to breakdown and can harm both wildlife and the environment in this country and abroad.

In November, London Councils deposited a private Bill - The London Local Authorities (Shopping Bags) Bill to Parliament. If passed, it will bring about a ban on single-use throwaway shopping bags in London.

In 2007 London Councils held a six week public consultation on whether or not to introduce a London-wide levy or ban on throwaway shopping bags. Two thousand people responded to the consultation, with over 90 per cent demanding that we take action through either a levy or an outright ban.

For more information, please seewww.londoncouncils.gov.uk/thebigquestion

For details of the M&S announcement, please see press release:'M&S To Roll-Out Charging For Food Carrier Bags Across UK' Opens in a new window

For press enquiries please contact: Chris Hogwood on 020 7934 9757Chris.hogwood@londoncouncils.gov.uk  Fax 020 7934 9777

For non-media enquiries contact: London Councils, 59½ Southwark Street, London SE1 0AL  Tel 020 7934 9999www.londoncouncils.gov.uk