Bags of help for good causes – and the planet

Bags of help for good causes – and the planet

We’re encouraging customers to reconsider their plastic bag habits.

Just as we’re committed to reducing packaging, we also want to help our customers use less plastic bags, in order to help the environment.

So, after the government introduced a 5p levy on single-use plastic bags, we went further than other major retailers and stopped offering them altogether in our stores.

Sainsbury’s reusable plastic bag, saying ‘Live well for less’

Instead, we offer reusable ‘bags for life’. These are made of 100 per cent recycled content and are entirely recyclable. So, when they do wear down, we replace them for free, while recycling the old bag to be used again.

Backing recycling

We’re also encouraging customers to recycle bags. Customers can find plastic film recycling bins in our supermarkets – where they can recycle carrier bags and other types of plastic, such as bread bags. This helps keep plastic out of landfill, for the good of the planet.

Supporting good causes

All profits from the sale of our carrier bags are used to support charities and community groups. This includes those raised on our re-usable bags, going above and beyond the government requirements.

In fact, since the scheme was introduced we’ve raised more than £8 million through our carrier bag sales.

£8m+

raised for good causes, from the sale of carrier bags to date

Reducing packaging

Our efforts to reduce plastic bag use dovetail with our commitments on packaging. We've committed to reduce our use of plastic packaging by 50 per cent by 2025, and then go further.

Carrier bag declaration 2021 

Carrier bag declaration 1920

Carrier bag declaration 1819 

Carrier bag declaration 1718

Sainsbury's plastic bag figures for England, Scotland and Wales

Argos' plastic bag figures for England, Scotland and Wales