Shoppers will today for the first time be able to purchase carrier bags which can be reused to make compost.

The Co-operative is launching the green scheme in Laxfield, near Framlingham and in Braintree and Witham, in north Essex.

According to Co-op bosses, it is the first time a major food retailer has given shoppers the option of carrier bags designed with a specific second use.

The bags, which cost 6p, can be used to carry shopping home and then be re-used as food waste caddy liners which can, along with their contents, be turned into compost.

Mark Eldridge, the Co-operative Food’s regional operations manager, said: “Every compostable carrier bag used is one less conventional plastic shopping bag in circulation. We believe they will have a significant impact upon the number of plastic bags which end up in landfill sites every year.”

“Our compostable carrier bags are the only certified bag of their kind in the UK. Our aim is to enable our customers to recycle more of the products they buy from us – from the leftover food and packaging, right through to the bag they use to carry their shopping home.”

The bags are available in the Co-op stores in Laxfield and in the Braintree shops in Brook Street, Panfield Lane and in Witham.