At the end of 2008, Asda, Co-operative Group (now incorporating Somerfield), Marks & Spencer, Sainsbury's, Tesco and Waitrose pledged to reduce the number of single-use carrier bags used by customers by 50 per cent by the end of May 2009, compared with May 2006.
According to figures compiled by WRAP (Waste & Resources Action Programme), 346m fewer bags were used by customers in May 2009 comparted to the same month three years earlier.
At the end of 2008 the number of bags being used was cut by 26% and this has now extended to 48% reduction in England.
The BRC says the figures show that retailers' schemes backed by a consumer campaign funded by Defra have changed consumer behaviour.
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