paying for plasitc bags

popadom

In wales, in october, you have to pya 5p per plastic bag used. I was just wondering if anyone knew where that money went? Does it go to the store or a charity or the goverment.

elsien

It's up to the retailer apparently although they're hoping retailers will put the money towards good causes.
http://www.carrierbagchargewales.gov.uk/consumers/proceeds/?lang=en

popadom

Thats so stupid. They should atleast make it a legal requirement to give to charity.Not line the pockets of shops.

Esqui

Why not? It costs shops to buy the bags in

browneyedbazzi

I don't think it's about lining the pockets of shops at all...the whole idea is to discourage people from using disposable bags. They're hoping that very few 5p bags will be bought and that people will be smart and opt for re-usable bags instead.

The_Pedant

Whichever they choose it's mostly win-win for the company.
Give to charity, they make a bit of good publicity.
Keep it themselves, they make a bit extra money.
Either way, they most likely cause bag use to drop, reducing their costs and also allowing them to spout how they're "being green" by discouraging bag use.

A._Badger

browneyedbazzi wrote: »

I don't think it's about lining the pockets of shops at all...the whole idea is to discourage people from using disposable bags. They're hoping that very few 5p bags will be bought and that people will be smart and opt for re-usable bags instead.

Rubbish, Not having to provide 'free' bags allows supermarkets both to make more money and wrap themselves in a pious aura as the gullible watch the wrong hand.

One local to me even tries to greenwash itself by claiming how 'Green' it is by 'giving away' cardboard boxes. What they really mean is not having to pay for having their waste taken away.

There's one born every minute. Funny, we used to call that 'being a bit green' too.

DUTR

popadom wrote: »

In wales, in october, you have to pya 5p per plastic bag used. I was just wondering if anyone knew where that money went? Does it go to the store or a charity or the goverment.

I suppose if all the stores are doing it, then it is not so bad, a couple of asda stores tried that trick and soon had to return back to to the quo.

jb66

So they dont give us carrier bags so we buy bin liners, bit backwards and pointless

glendam

From something I read in Wales today.
Firms will have to keep track of the number of bags they hand out and, unless they employ fewer than 10 people, will be obliged to account for how the proceeds from the carrier bag charge are used.
Smaller outlets will still be required by law to pass the money on to environmental causes or charities.
Businesses can charge more than 5p for bags but the charge cannot be less.
Exemptions

• Food items that are unwrapped - loose fruit and vegetables, bread, pick and mix sweets etc.
• Live aquatic creatures in water - fish, coral, crabs etc.
• Unpackaged blades - axe, knife blade or razor blade.
• Loose seeds and bulbs.
• Packaged uncooked fish or meat.
• Bags on board ships, trains, aircraft, coaches or buses.
• 
  

browneyedbazzi

A._Badger wrote: »

Rubbish, Not having to provide 'free' bags allows supermarkets both to make more money and wrap themselves in a pious aura as the gullible watch the wrong hand.

One local to me even tries to greenwash itself by claiming how 'Green' it is by 'giving away' cardboard boxes. What they really mean is not having to pay for having their waste taken away.

There's one born every minute. Funny, we used to call that 'being a bit green' too.

A lot of people choose not to use disposable plastic bags because they do have a negative impact on the environment. They are not gullible idiots who have been fooled by supermarkets - they have made and ethical, socially responsible choice as consumers.

The fact that supermarkets are now getting on board with reducing use of disposable bags is a reaction to what the public (and in the case of Wales, politicians) want and yes of course it is motivated by profits, they are businesses not charities. I don't think anyone believes supermarkets do anything out of the goodness of their hearts.

In this case I don't care what their motivations are - I care about the results, which are good!

A lot of 'green' practices including reusing things like boxes and reducing carrier bags going to landfill are good for the environment and the business' bottom line. What's wrong with that?

Unless of course you're one of the head in the sand ignorant deniers of all things related to the environmental impact we have on the planet?