GENEVA, Nov. 1 (Xinhua) -- The decision by Switzerland's main supermarkets to introduce a plastic bag charge has led to plummeting of the plastic demand, said a report released on Wednesday.
According to the report released by the Swiss public radio SRF, since the introduction of a small charge, demand for such bags has fallen by more than 80 percent at Swiss chain-store Migros, more than 85 percent at Coop and 74 percent at Spar.
Swiss chain-store Coop, for example, said that it has been able to save 850 tons of plastic a year.
In Switzerland, Migros was the first retailer to stop giving out plastic bags for free a year ago. Coop and most other large supermarkets, including Denner, Spar and Manor, followed suit.
Switzerland is one of many countries that have banned, partly banned or taxed single use of plastic bags.
According to local media, the Swiss retail industry has targeted to reduce the use of free plastic bags by 80 percent by the beginning of next year, though they will remain available for fruit and vegetables.
