Designed with 100% recycled plastic, the bag has freepost returns pouch in a pocket inside which can be used as a pre-addressed envelope

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The Universal Bag, produced from 100% recycled plastic material, is certified under Global Recycling Scheme. (Credit: Waitrose & Partners)

Luxury accessories brand Anya Hindmarch has partnered with British supermarket chain Waitrose to launch The Universal Bag in Waitrose stores across the nation later this month.

The Universal Bag, produced from 100% recycled plastic material, is certified under Global Recycling Scheme (GRS).

It has a freepost returns pouch that is integrated into a pocket within the bag.

The product can be sent via a letterbox for recycling by simply placing the bag in its built-in pocket, which serves as a pre-addressed envelope.

The bags are said to be useful and attractive and are priced at £10 apiece. The green design is inspired by Waitrose and Anya Hindmarch’s distinctive style.

Waitrose executive director James Bailey said: “We recently took the decision to remove our bags for life as our research showed that they were increasingly being treated as a single-use item, and this is part of our commitment to only use plastic where it can be recycled, reused or home composted by 2023.

“Plastic will continue to have its uses but we must not create any more of it unnecessarily. Instead, we must repurpose, reuse and make existing plastic materials circular – this is why we’re excited to be an early adopter of Anya Hindmarch’s new Universal Bag as it is a great example of circularity at work.”

Anya Hindmarch founder and creative director said: “Everyone needs a bag to move things around. The Universal Bag is designed to offer an alternative solution that saves plastic from landfill, is simple to recycle 100%, is guaranteed for 10 years, and is hopefully special enough to inspire people to use it.

“When you throw something away, there is no “away”. By collaborating on this project, supermarkets are showing their continued commitment to reducing the amount of plastic on our planet.”

Scheduled to launch on March 23, the bag will be sold in Waitrose shops across the country with a 10-year lasting guarantee.