Swedish fashion chain KappAhl has revealed consumption of plastic bags at its stores has declined by almost 70% in the first 15 months of the launch of industry sustainability initiative One Bag Habit.
Introduced in June last year by KappAhl, Lindex and H&M, the scheme aims to actively reduce the consumption of all kinds of bags and raise awareness of their negative environmental impact.
Go deeper with GlobalData
As a member of One Bag Habit, companies commit themselves to paying for all bags offered to customers, regardless of material or size; informing customers about the environmental impact of bags; and offering bags to their customers that are made of more durable materials and can be recycled.
They also commit to providing an annual report of progress and donate or invest the surplus from the sale of bags for purposes of sustainable development, environmental or social issues.
In a statement this week, KappAhl said sales from 1 September 2017 to 31 August 2018 have generated a surplus of more than SEK2.1m (US$231,275).
Lindex said earlier this year that the sum from the first six months of its participation in the scheme, from 1 June 2017 to 31 December 2017, was SEK2.74m.
About 20 companies have joined the initiative, including Gina Tricot and Nilson Shoes.
