In a key speech on the government's green targets for business and individuals, Prime Minister Gordon Brown recently announced the setting up of a grocery industry forum to discuss how to eliminate single-use disposable carrier bags.
Brown said supermarkets had already committed to "reduce the environmental impact of plastic bags by 25% over the next year", but added that "we can go further". He told the World Wildlife Fund audience: "I am convinced we can eliminate single-use disposable bags in favour of long-lasting and more sustainable alternatives."
He acknowledged initiatives "all over the country to get rid of disposable plastic bags". But he criticised the fact that every year in Britain, more than 13 billion single-use carrier bags are distributed - more than 10 bags a week for every household.
Brown announced the government would be convening the forum of relevant parties to "urgently assess how, and how quickly, this reduction can be achieved".
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