LIDL has become the first supermarket in the UK to introduce reusable fruit and vegetable bags in all of its stores in a bid reduce plastic waste.

The Green Bags, priced at 69p for two, provide a reusable alternative to small single-use fruit and vegetable bags.

Lidl GB’s head of corporate social responsibility, Georgina Hall, commented: “Ever since we opened our doors in Great Britain, 25 years ago, we have been strongly committed to finding ways to reduce our plastic waste. We’ve made changes – big and small – over the years to help contribute to this.

“Today’s announcement is the next step, and one which we hope will help customers shift to a truly reusable option.”

The scheme builds on the discounter’s commitment to combatting plastic waste, including reducing plastic packaging by 20% by 2022 and ensuring all of its own-brand packaging is widely recyclable, reusable, refillable or renewable by 2025.