Lidl veg bags

Lidl has introduced reusable fruit and veg bags across all its UK stores in a move aimed at giving customers a sustainable choice and reducing plastic use and waste.

The ‘Green Bags’, priced at 69p for two, are pitched as an affordable, reusable alternative to single-use, small fruit and vegetable bags.

Georgina Hall, head of CSR at Lidl GB, explained: “Ever since we opened our doors in Great Britain, 25 years ago, we have been strongly committed to finding ways to reduce our plastic waste. We’ve made changes – big and small – over the years to help contribute to this. Today’s announcement is the next step, and one which we hope will help customers shift to a truly reusable option.”

The announcement continues the discounter’s commitment to combatting plastic waste, including reducing plastic packaging by 20 per cent by 2022 and making sure 100 per cent of its own-brand packaging is widely recyclable, reusable, refillable or renewable by 2025.

Since 2017, Lidl said its actions to remove, replace and reduce own-brand plastic packaging has resulted in an eight per cent reduction per store.

Other steps taken include removing black plastic from its fruit and veg range, and replacing plastic tomato punnets with cardboard.