Argos donates carrier bag money to Keep Wales Tidy

Retailer Argos has donated over £7,000 collected from the sale of single-use carrier bags to environmental charity Keep Wales Tidy.

The donation is one of the largest single contributions from the five pence carrier bag levy to Keep Wales Tidy since the introduction of the charge in October last year.  The income will be used to support a number of KWT initiatives across Wales.

Keep Wales Tidy, through programmes such as Tidy Towns and Eco-Schools, encourages local action to protect the environment to help achieve its vision of ‘a beautiful Wales cared for and enjoyed by all’. These programmes help people to understand the importance of looking after the environment and this donation will support communities to work together on practical projects to improve the quality of their local area.

Louise Tambini, Projects Director for Keep Wales Tidy, said:

“We are delighted that Argos has decided to support our work through the donation of their carrier bag proceeds. These funds will help us continue our work with local volunteers to deliver environmental improvements across Wales.”

“In these challenging financial times it is becoming more and more difficult to raise the necessary funds to cover volunteer costs such as insurance, tools and equipment, so donations such as this from the private sector are vital to plug our funding gaps. I am so pleased that Argos have taken the decision to support Keep Wales Tidy and we look forward to working in partnership together – I hope other retailers follow their excellent example and also donate their proceeds to environmental causes.”

Ceri Wootton, Colleague and Community Affairs Manager for Home Retail Group, says:

“Argos and the Home Retail Group took the corporate decision to donate the proceeds from the sale of single-use bags to an environmental charity due to the hazards bags can cause to wildlife and the natural environment. Due to the close relationship we have with Keep Wales Tidy, it was made perfect sense to donate the proceeds to them so they can continue to their great environmental work across Wales. ”