The move comes after recent government pressure calling for retailers across the country to cut the number of plastic bags handed out by 70% by next spring.
Customers shopping at Tesco will be required to ask for a plastic bag, which will now be stored under the cash register, in an effort to encourage shoppers to find more environmental friendly alternatives to carrying their shopping. Although customers will not be charged for using the bags, they will be encouraged to bring their own from home.
A spokesperson for Tesco told the Daily Mirror that the supermarket firm has no plans to start charging customers for use of bags anytime in the near future.
A handful of retailers across the country, including Marks & Spencer's, Debenhams and the National Trust, have already implemented a 5p charge for use of plastic bags in their stores. The Daily Telegraph reported today that plastic bag use in National Trust stores has been cut by 95% since implementing the 5p charge nearly four months ago.
Government ministers have estimated that 13bn plastic bags are handed out in the UK every year.
The other three big supermarkets have made moves focused on encouraging consumers to pick more environmentally friendly bags. Morrisons started to give away 10m reusable plastic bags in May and last year Sainsbury's sold a line of designer reusable bags.