Bunzl: Green revolution not hurting us

BUNZL, the packaging and outsourcing group, said the "green" drive by retailers to reduce plastic bag usage had failed to dent its UK business.
The firm, which supplies "not for resale" items for industries including healthcare, retail and catering, said its broad range of goods had allowed it to provide environmentally-friendly products such as biodegradable bags and "bags for life".Marks & Spencer has reported an 80 per cent fall in the number of bags given out after it began charging 5p per bag in May.But Bunzl said its retail business continued to make progress despite the voluntary initiatives and a weaker economy, although input costs rose.Overall UK operating profits advanced 17 per cent to £37.8 million in the first half.Bunzl expects "good growth" in the UK for the rest of the year but also strengthened its presence internationally with its first move into South America.