UK supermarket chain Tesco has defended its record on cutting the use of plastic bags after being accused of publishing misleading figures that suggested it had met an industry target.

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A 2006 agreement signed by the UK’s largest supermarkets pledged to cut the number of bags by 50% over three years.


Tesco, Asda, The Co-operative Group, Marks and Spencer, Sainsbury’s, Somerfield and Waitrose all agreed to participate in the agreement, approved by the British Retail Consortium’s retailer members and the UK government.


Last month, the UK government-backed Waste & Resources Action Programme (WRAP) claimed the supermarkets had reduced the number of single-use plastic bags by 48%.


However, according to The Times, Tesco tried to conceal its real figures after admitting that although previously claiming to have met the target, Tesco calculated its figures differently to the WRAP guidelines.

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According to The Times, the figures issued by Tesco did not reflect its actual performance and the actual reduction in its plastic bags fell below the WRAP target.


Tesco has refused to issue its actual figures and a company spokesperson argued it was “misleading” to compare the number of plastic bags handed out now with those issued three years ago.


“In working out how many carrier bags our customers are saving, it is misleading simply to compare the overall number of bags issued now with those issued in 2006,” the spokesperson told just-food.


“More customers now shop with Tesco than did in 2006, and on average each is using 50% fewer bags than they did then. This is the most meaningful number. We believe this is a huge achievement in three years.”