NORTH East households can prepare for the imminent introduction of a 5p charge for plastic carrier bags in England with a free bag for life from housebuilder Miller Homes.
The introduction of a charge for single use plastic carrier bags will bring England broadly into line with Scotland and Wales,where charges for carrier bags have been in place since 2011 and 2014 respectively, helping to significantly reduce the number of plastic bags going to landfill.
In support of the initiative, Miller Homes has designed a bag for life which will be given away to the first 100 people to register on its website. Bags will also be distributed at its North East sales centres when customers reserve their new home (for a limited period only) and to all Miller Homes employees.
Miller Homes North East’s regional sales manager Andrew Somerville said: “We welcome and support the UK Government’s bid to encourage people to reduce, reuse and recycle. As a business, one element of our business philosophy, The Miller Difference, is about helping our customers and employees to live more sustainably. By launching our own bag for life, we hope to play a small part in helping them achieve this.
“To mark the launch of the carrier bag charge in England we will be running a campaign via our social media channels offering 100 free bags for life, so we would encourage people to keep an eye on our Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagramaccounts for their chance to bag a stylish Miller Homes shopper.”
People in the UK use an estimated 10 billion plastic bags a year – more than 150 per person, and this accounts for a fifth of all plastic packaging used in the UK. The carrier bag charge was introduced in a bid to reduce the number of plastic bags going to landfill. Within the first year of the policy being launched in Scotland, 147 million less carrier bags were handed out in shops and businesses. In Wales the charge led to a 79% decrease in plastic bags taken in the first three years and in Scotland the number of ‘bags for life’ used quadrupled last year.
Miller Homes has developments located across the North East of England, which cater for a wide range of buyers, from those looking to purchase their first home to growing families and downsizers.
With prices starting from £129,950, homebuyers can choose between Bishops Park in Gateshead, Park View in Low Fell, The Acres in Bedlington, Wheatfields in Seaton Delaval, Portland Wynd in Blyth, The Meadows in Framwellgate Moor, Wheatlands Chase in Redcar,Acklam Woods and St Mary’s Green both in Acklam and Clairville Grange in Middlesbrough.
For more information on Miller Homes and its North East developments call 0808 250 6426 or visit www.millerhomes.co.uk.
*Terms and conditions apply.