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Boots is set to replace the plastic prescription bags it distributes from the company’s centralised dispensing support pharmacy with bags that are 100% compostable.
The new bags will be made from potato starch and can be used as a bin liner for food waste.
The multiple announced that the switch will start from November 2019, with the aim of replacing 10 million plastic prescription bags in the UK by March 2020. The move comes after Boots was criticised in May 2019 for using plastic prescription bags to dispense from its central facility, saying they were “more durable”.
In a statement, Richard Bradley, pharmacy director at Boots, said: “At the start of [2019], our customers told us they didn’t want to receive their medicines in plastic bags and we have been testing alternative materials for some time.”
“So, we are thrilled that our new compostable bags allow us to continue to deliver medicines to patients in a way that is safe, clean and dry, whilst helping to reduce our reliance on conventional plastic.”
The company added that it “also has plans to reduce its plastic use by around 1,300 tonnes per year” and that it will “endeavour to be 100% plastic-free in online deliveries by the end of 2020”.
The move follows LloydsPharmacy’s announcement in November 2019 of a similar plan to send out centrally dispensed items in recyclable bags.
