CUSTOMERS of Sainsbury’s at Shore Head, Huddersfield, are becoming more environmentally friendly.

The information comes as the store sees a dramatic drop in the use of free carrier bags.

Over the last six months the store has seen the use of free disposable bags fall by 10% compared to last year.

And the use of re-usable bags is up almost 50%.

This suggests that the chain’s 16m customers are beginning to abandon the single trip carrier bag in favour of longer-life re-usable ones.

The fall follows Sainsbury’s first two Make The Difference days when the group was the first UK supermarket to remove free, disposable carrier bags from checkouts and instead offer free re-usable Bags for Life, which would normally cost 10p.

Michael Broadhurst, Shore Head store manager, said: “I am delighted our customers are using and re-using longer-life bags more than ever before and relying less on free carrier bags.

“This is a significant shift in the right direction. We provide the bags free, but need customers to re-use them to really make a difference.”

The store is repeating its Make The Difference event this weekend in a bid to encourage positive action across a range of environmental, health and ethical issues.

Mr Broadhurst added: “Working together, these small and easy changes today can make real and lasting differences on major environmental issues.”