The switch - due to be completed by early 2020 - will avoid more than 900 tonnes of plastic waste a year, the firm said
Boots will today begin the process of replacing plastic carrier bags with unbleached brown paper bags, starting with 53 stores and aiming for a full rollout across all the firm's 2,485 UK outlets by early 2020.
The switch will avoid over 900 tonnes of plastic waste from Boots stores per year, the firm said, making it the first UK national pharmacy and healthy beauty retailer to make the move.
"Plastic waste is undoubtedly one of the most important issues around the world today with TV shows like Blue Planet highlighting the effects of plastic pollution," said Seb James, senior vice-president and managing director at Books UK.
"This year, we are transforming Boots as we celebrate 170 years, and the move to unbleached paper bags is another pivotal moment in that journey. There is no doubt that our customers expect us to act and this change signifies a huge step away from our reliance on plastic."
The decision follows a recent survey of Boots customers conducted by Verve, which found 92 per cent were concerned about the issue of plastic bags and 94 per cent agreed that moving to paper bags would be a positive step.
The new bags are made from unbleached, Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified recycled brown paper, which is printed with water-based inks so the bags can be easily recycled.
The bags also display the On-Pack Recycling Label (OPRL) standard, which aims to help consumers recycle them correctly.
Customers can purchase a small, medium or large paper carrier bag for 5p, 7p, or 10p, with all profits donated to BBC Children in Need, Boots said.