The Co-op uses a biodegradable and compostable carrier bag supplied by BBIA member Novamont to cut down on the amount of plastic waste leaking into the environment.

Made using Novamont’s MATER-BI bioplastic, the bag can be re-used for shopping or a second important role of collecting kitchen food scraps and garden trimmings and disposal in the local authority provided food/garden waste bin or even home composting. MATER-BI biodegrades in a composting environment, meaning microorganisms view it as food, converting the original organic materials into a valuable soil amendment called compost. This finished compost provides nutrients and humus to grow new crops, sequestering that original carbon and completing the carbon cycle.