Superdry
A leading high street clothing chain has pledged to use the proceeds from the upcoming plastic bag charge in Scotland for good causes.
Superdry is the latest in a string of organisations to sign up to Zero Waste Scotland's Carrier Bag Commitment. The business announced this week (October 6th 2014) that it will be donating the proceeds from the levy to Trees for Life, a conservation charity with a mission to restore Scotland's ancient Caledonian Forest to a flagship wilderness region of some 1,000 square miles of mountain and glen terrain to the west of Inverness and Loch Ness.
Superdry compiled a shortlist of good causes and asked its employees from the company's 11 stores in Scotland to vote on which charity would benefit the most from the proceeds of the levy, with Trees for Life emerging as the winner.
The Scottish Government's carrier bag bill will require all retailers to charge their customers a minimum of 5p for every single-use carrier bag from October 20th 2014. Zero Waste Scotland is supporting Scottish businesses to help them understand their corporate responsibilities and is reminding consumers to take re-usable bags into town for their shopping.
Iain Gulland, Director of Zero Waste Scotland, said: "I'm delighted to see Superdry signing up to the Carrier Bag Commitment and urge other retailers in Scotland to follow suit – it’s quick, easy, transparent and provides great publicity for your business and the good causes you choose to support."
The Carrier Bag Commitment recognises businesses who donate the proceeds from the charge to charities and all retailers are being encouraged to sign up for free to join the growing group of Carrier Bag Committers, which currently includes McDonald's, Holland and Barratt, The Co-operative Group and Marks & Spencer.
Paul Thomas, Environmental Project Officer at Superdry said: "Whether it is introducing efficient LED lighting to our stores or buying renewable energy, at Superdry we are always looking for ways to reduce our environmental impact. We therefore welcome the carrier bag charge in Scotland as an opportunity to both reduce a highly visible source of litter and also raise money for a very worthwhile environmental cause. We would certainly encourage other retailers to sign up to Zero Waste Scotland's Carrier Bag Commitment.
"We believe that it’s important that charities and other good causes benefit from the charge and signing up to the Commitment allows us to promote this, as well as keeping the reporting process simple. By asking our employees to choose how the proceeds will be used, we can ensure that the whole organisation is behind it."
Signatories of the Carrier Bag Commitment are committed to donating the proceeds from the plastic bag levy to good causes in Scotland, which may include environmental charities, and reporting on how many plastic bags they have sold and how the cash is being put to use. In return for their transparency and active donation to benefit their community, businesses can use dedicated reporting programs to make their data easier to handle and participate in communication activities promoting both their business and the good causes they support.
Gulland added: "With two weeks two go, we’re reminding retailers and shoppers to be prepared for the launch of Scotland's carrier bag charge. Zero Waste Scotland backs the carrier bag charge as a means to reduce the number of single-use bags in circulation, which often end up as litter, blighting our communities. We’re offering a programme of support to retailers to help them understand the charge and make the necessary changes in their business. Retailers can visit our dedicated website www.carrierbagchargescotland.org.uk or contact us directly for more information."
