Retailer is first in Slovenia to phase out the bags from all of its fresh produce departments
Spar Slovenia has become the first retailer in the country to phase out single-use plastic bags completely from its fruit and vegetable departments.
In their place, the chain will give shoppers a choice between biodegradable bags or reusable mesh bags.
According to the company, the move will remove as much as 105 tonnes of plastic annually.
Research by Eurostat suggests that the vast majority of plastic bags used in Slovenia are very light, single-use ones.
Last August, Spar Slovenia unveiled four sustainable cotton bags designed by students from the Academy of Fine Arts and Design at the University of Ljubljana.
These bags are now available in stores nationwide.
The chain is run by Austria Spar International and was granted a licence to operate under the brand in 1991.
