SHOPPERS who stock up on disposable carrier bags are being urged to reduce rubbish and adopt a bag for life.

The new campaign is to be launched by Burnley Borough Council in conjunction with Sainsbury's, Burnley, tomorrow.

Members of the authority's cleaning department will be on hand to help supermarket staff to encourage customers to invest in a sturdy reusable bag for 10p. Once purchased, Sainsbury's will replace the bag for free if it breaks.

The national chain has also launched a Pennyback scheme where shoppers will receive 1p for every reused carrier bag in a bid to reduce the number of disposable carriers used by customers each week.

A spokesman for the Bag for Life scheme said: "Burnley Borough Council and Sainsury's Supermarkets Ltd are both working towards more sustainable ways of managing their activities, especially the creation and disposal of rubbish.

"By working to reduce the amount of disposable carrier bags used and thrown away every day we can help make a better environment."

Every year more than 30,000 tonnes of rubbish is removed from homes across Burnley and Padiham, with about seven per cent, or 2,000 tonnes, of that amount made up of carrier bags and other plastic film waste. Most ends up in a landfill site where it can take years to rot away.

The spokesman added: "Disposable carrier bags also make up a lot of litter on our streets and parks. Not only does it look messy but it can be potentially harmful for children with a serious risk of suffocation."

Councillor Charles Bullas said: "It is excellent that our local and national companies are taking an interest in environmental issues."