Reversal for an Icon

Use of plastic supermarket carriers has the status of an iconic touch-stone of sustainability, even though its reduction is not the no.1 priority. It is disturbing therefore to learn that WRAP has recently reported an increase in single-use carriers. In 2010 6.4bn (yes, that's billion!) bags were used, up by 0.3bn from the previous year. This is still way below WRAP's first recorded figure of 10.1bn in 2006 but still an unfortunate trend. Why has this occurred? Has the great British public become blase? Does each and every one of us actully need to use 8.6 bags per month? Perhaps it's time to relaunch the drive to reduce plastic bag use.