Forum Topic

Plastic carrier bag charges.

Another stealth tax. 5p a plastic bag inc VAT.What if someone is disabled, housebound and on State Pension, and has no choice but to shop on-line. Add 40 - 50p to the total plus delivery charge, the cost will soon mount up.Asda are saying that they will deliver loose in green boxes, but that is no good if no one is able to help with the delivery if the person is unable to lift or carry, and delivery drivers are not allowed to enter the property. Back to square one. What ever happened to strong paper carrier bags with string handles? They were free.Checked out Waitrose for dog treats. Example: Pedigree Schmackhos multi 20 sticks four flavours, around £1.56 everywhere, Waitrose £3.

Ewan Howard ● 3995d27 Comments

Don't forget the film made by Rebecca Hosking.  You can find it online if you look for it.  It has taken more than seven years...

Philippa Bond ● 3985d

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/shopping/2015/10/shoppers-to-pay-5p-for-plastic-bagshttp://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/bills/article-3243036/Thousands-corner-shops-charge-5p-carrier-bag-month-new-rules-apply-large-stores.html

Philippa Bond ● 3988d

I agree Bob, and the best of cashiers and/or shops have always asked if you want a bag.  I used to try and thank those who did ask because it is extremely irritating to have all your purchases shoved into a bag you don't want.  Sometimes they they still don't hear you!  So it has to be "No bag please" as soon as you get to the till.

Philippa Bond ● 3988d

This is a great prize-winning essay.  If you haven't already read it then please do read it.It is a good reminder of how we got to where we are today with carrier bags and too much waste.  We need to think further and think outside the box (or bag).http://www.theecologist.org/investigations/waste_and_recycling/268975/the_perils_of_plastic_amnesia.html

Philippa Bond ● 3988d

The shop shouldn't assume you want a bag. The whole point is to cut down on the plastic

Bob Crossley ● 3988d

What makes you think that the bigger supermarkets are reducing prices?They're not breaking the law.Just take your own bag shopping.  It really is no big deal.

Philippa Bond ● 3988d

Cant say anything about the meat, cos I haven't bought any, but their fruit and veg are ace.

Chris Hurley ● 3988d

They are perfectly entitled to charge for carrier bags.If you don't want one then say so and don't let them give you one.  Lots of shops used to charge for carrier bags before the legislation.However it is always nicer to be asked if you want one.It is a shame that the legislation for England isn't as straightforward and blanket a one as that for the other countries in the UK and gives exemptions over who MUST charge for bags.

Philippa Bond ● 3988d

I think they may be exempt as they sell fresh(reputedly) veg and meat. Anyway, what's your post supposed to mean? What's your opinion?

Keith Iddon ● 3988d

Do you think Hakikat will be giving to charity?

Sarah Vickers ● 3988d

I'm all for the charge as long as the revenue raised goes to charity as it is supposed to.The problem really isn't the number of bags, although the amount given out yearly is staggering, but the careless disposal of them and the affect they have on the environment and wildlife on land and sea.I wonder how we all managed before bags were given out willy-nilly by supermarkets as a small inducement to shop there.I think we may see more of the old style tartan shopping trolleys, like wot my Mum had..

Keith Iddon ● 3988d

Have done my first poor man's Waitrose shop.  Was charged 30p for bags. later received email saying that 70p had been credited. Is that a profit of 40p for disposal of bags?If Ocado/Waitrose can do it, will others follow?

Ewan Howard ● 3988d

Well, Apple, I think we should all challenge them.They are only cashing in and not reducing prices.

Sarah Vickers ● 3988d

Sarah I was charged 6p in hakitat today for a bag I didn't ask for!

Apple Leiper ● 3988d

They can all charge for carrier bags...  but if you take your own and are quick enough to use it saying "no thank you" then you may manage to avoid paying.  You get better at it in time.The "single use" carrier bags that you got from the big supermarkets were never really "free" - their price was just factored in to the cost of everything else.  It is harder for small retailers to swallow this cost.We can be terrible suckers for things that we think are "free" in this country.Promote your favourite charity instead!Here's one:http://shop.macmillan.org.uk/macmillan-essentials/info/flowers-shopping-bag/mcs1516.html

Philippa Bond ● 3989d

I spotted a 5p charge at the bottom of my Hakikat receipt.This is a bit naughty as they don't even ask you and just stuff your shopping in their  plastic bag as usual.Surely this is a "small" retailer.

Sarah Vickers ● 3989d

20 years ago we used to go shopping in Germany with a calico 'Bag for Life'. I can't understand why it's taken England so long. To be honest, I think they should charge more. Paper bags cost much more to produce, and also cause more CO2 to produce than plastic bags. Simply get yourself a nice collection of sturdy re-usable bags.

Malcolm Pacey ● 3989d

Here are some different ones:http://www.poppyshop.org.uk/accessories/jute-bags.html?p=2

Philippa Bond ● 3994d

It actually isn't as tough a tax as it should have been because the Government have been heavily lobbied by the plastics industry.Plastics have a place and being used for medical reasons is a good one - where when once used it can be safely disposed of.Tesco's once had some really good advertisements encouraging their customers to reduce their carrier bag usage by finding another way to get their shopping home.  I particularly remember Alan Titchmarsh and a wheelbarrow...This has taken a shamefully long time to get onto the statute books.  So many countries already have this sort of legislation.The supermarket reusable bags must be being sold at a discounted price because if you were to choose a bag from elsewhere it would probably cost more.  However why not take a stand and choose to advertise your favourite charity?

Philippa Bond ● 3994d

We handed our bags back to Ocado last Tuesday from the last 2 shops (I forgot last time) and was very happy to see 60p credited to us even though the 'bag tax' wasn't implemented then! So feel like we're 'in credit' ;)Excellent that they take all bags, not just their own, too.I admit I almost never get plastic bags already as I take my own almost every time, but everyone forgets sometimes, to lovely to know I can hand them back and get my 5p back.

Elly Belpassi ● 3994d

We have had this in Ireland for about 15 years and it's like any change, you adapt and work with it.  It has to happen, It's appalling that it has taken so long to be honest.  i'm not particularly eco conscious but with the scale of our usage of these things It's easy to understand what damage they can cause.

Keith Dowling ● 3995d

Heard that most small shops will be charging for bags even though they don't have to.

Bob Crossley ● 3995d

As a user of Ocado's excellent delivery service, I do not want to have to unpack my shopping from crates while the delivery man waits - sometimes I do not unpack shopping immediately it is bought into my flat, so I am very grateful that Ocado will be paying me 5p per bag - I've got a very nice collection to hand to them when my next order is delivered!

Nina Battleday ● 3995d

Only shops with more than a certain number of employees have charge (50 I think) and if you buy loose veg with earth or fresh meat not packaged there is no charge either.Ocado charge 5p BUT pay 5p for every bag returned including bags from other sources.

Bob Crossley ● 3995d

Back to the 50s. Strong paper carrier bags, free, with 5lb spuds, cabbage or cauliflower, 1lb carrots and some apples bag survived. Put the same in stupid (Asda) plastic bag today, bag splits groceries all over the place. Total waste of 5p.

Ewan Howard ● 3995d

I agree, what happened to string paper bags? Not the ones from Primark, they are useless!People will still buy plastic bags for lining pedal bins and so on, it will be interesting to discover whether this actually reduces the amount of plastic bags in circulation.In Northern Ireland the charge for plastic bags has been in force now for about 2 years apparently.I do have my own reusable carrier bags but sometimes one simply forgets to take a carrier along when out shopping. I certainly will not be paying for the privilege of carrying a plastic bag which advertises a particular store!

Jean F Fernandez ● 3995d

There has been a charge for plastic bags in Scotland for a good while now. Its.surprising how quickly one gets used to taking ones own bags.  I was there for.3 weeks in the summer and very quickly got used to it. Home delivery shouldn't need any bags IMO. Deliver to door in crates, transfer into customers own re-useable bags. Looking after your pocket & more importantly the planet.

Apple Leiper ● 3995d