A fashion retailer has agreed to donate the proceeds of a soon-to-be-introduced universal bag tax to a charity committed to restoring an ancient Highland forest
Superdry, which has stores in Aberdeen and Inverness, has signed up to Zero Waste Scotland’s carrier bag commitment to support Trees for Life.
The conservation volunteering organisation wants to restore the Caledonian Forest to a spectacular wilderness region of 1,000 square miles of mountains and glens to the west of Inverness and Loch Ness.
New legislation passed by the Scottish Government will require all retailers to charge a minimum of 5p for every single-use carrier bag from October 20.
Superdry joins organisations including Marks and Spencer, McDonald’s, Holland and Barratt and The Co-operative Group in signing up to the commitment.
Paul Thomas, environmental project officer at Superdry, said: “Whether it is introducing efficient LED lighting to our stores or buying renewable energy, 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.”
Iain Gulland, director of Zero Waste Scotland, said he was “delighted” Superdry had signed the commitment.
“We back 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,” he added.
“We’re offering a programme of support to retailers to help them understand the charge and make the necessary changes in their business.”