Lack of publicity over England's shops charging 5p a bag

enfield_freddy

barmonkey wrote: »

You wont be charged for plastic bags that are:

for uncooked fish and fish products
for uncooked meat, poultry and their products
for unwrapped food for animal or human consumption - for example, chips, or food sold in containers not secure enough to prevent leakage during normal handling
for unwrapped loose seeds, flowers, bulbs, corns, rhizomes (roots, stems and shoots, such as ginger) or goods contaminated by soil (such as potatoes or plants)
for unwrapped blades, including axes, knives, and knife and razor blades
for prescription medicine
for live aquatic creatures in water
woven plastic bags
for goods in transport, such as at an airport or on a train, plane or ship
considered as sealed packaging for mail order and click-and-collect orders (regardless of handles)
returnable multiple reuse bags (bags for life)
used to give away free promotional material
used for a service but there’s no sale of goods, such as dry cleaning or shoe repairs

There will be so much confusion in the first few weeks

so if the shop places a "flyer" in a bag clearly marked with there name ie: argos free catalogue) the bag is free?

mije1983

enfield_freddy wrote: »

so if the shop places a "flyer" in a bag clearly marked with there name ie: argos free catalogue) the bag is free?

Yes pretty much, although I understand that any bags like this must not be used for purchased items. So businesses couldn't get away with putting a flyer in a bag with your shopping and not charging you. No doubt some will still try though.

bubblegumcola

Some personal experience of the bag charge experience in Scotland. During the first few weeks and months I've had all sorts said to me and been screamed at by customers which has not been pleasant.

'Your bags are thinner than they used to be its a disgrace and now you're changing 5p for them' (shouted at me and no they are exactly the same but I wasn't retaliating after being shouted at)
'Well I'm not buying a bag until you tell me what charity the money is going to.'
'Im spending xxxx and you expect me to pay 5p for a bag.' (Yes Sir I have to charge you if you want a bag regardless of the price as it is Scottish legislation and I can be personally fined if I don't charge you for a bag. You don't need to buy a bag at all.)
But if I don't buy a bag you'll think I've been shoplifting. (Not if you keep your receipt, you do not need to buy a bag if you don't want to)


Most of your posts are about food and contamination when using reusable bags but it's for all types of retailers so you'll need bags when you are out clothes shopping, etc. I suggest when Xmas shopping taking a roll of very strong black bin bags or the larger style Bags for life as not all shops do bigger bags. It's really not difficult and you get used to taking bags with you, they have up here despite some people being very upset about it when it first started. I have to say that some customers were incredibly nasty despite being very politely explained the situation. If I do forget bags when I have gone out I tend to buy the more expensive bags for life and not the single use carrier as most retailers give you a free replacement of the bags for life when they have worn out.

peachyprice

teddysmum wrote: »

What annoys me is that we will now have to pay out anyway and still use plastic. You pay 5p for a carrier bag which can rarely be used more than once, as it's so flimsy, or buy liners for outside bins or pedal bins. An alternative being going out to the bin several times a day (not good in bad weather or if you are infirm).

Surely if you've got any sense you'll spend the extra 5p on a bag for life and re-use it dozens of times?

I really can't see what all the fuss is about, I've been re-using supermarket carrier bags for years, occasionally I'll buy more than expected, usually in Lidl, where guess what, I pay for a bag.

peachyprice

JReacher1 wrote: »

Self service in particular self scan rely on a level of trust between customer and store. The customer will be expected to say how many bags they have used and pay accordingly.

Some people will take advantage but I would guess (and hope) only a small number of people are prepared to steal a 5p carrier bag

They have that policy in M&S food halls already. The till asks you if you've used a bag. You can have a small bag for free but will be charged if you use a large one.

Nodding_Donkey

I hope Tesco are prepared to refund when bags fall apart on the way to the car.

motorguy

peachyprice wrote: »

Surely if you've got any sense you'll spend the extra 5p on a bag for life and re-use it dozens of times?

I really can't see what all the fuss is about, I've been re-using supermarket carrier bags for years, occasionally I'll buy more than expected, usually in Lidl, where guess what, I pay for a bag.

+1

We've had this in northern ireland for several years now (only it applies to ALL shops) - and thats exactly what ppl do - you buy a bag for life (or half a dozen) and bring them with you.

Moglex

I hope the big supermarkets all start using the type of carrier bag that Morrisons used for a while, a couple of years ago, when they were trying to get people to recycle bags.

They were significantly stronger and would last reliably for much longer than the type you currently get.

The worst ones, at the moment, are ASDA, followed by Tesco, as these are exceptionally flimsy and cannot be reused with any confidence as packaging corners and other sharpnesses can easily cause rips which can cause the bags to spilt when reloaded, or even on first use.

pmduk

Tesco's ultra thin bags persuaded me to start buying the bags for life - their free ones often didn't last the journey home.

wealdroam

Nodding_Donkey wrote: »

I hope Tesco are prepared to refund when bags fall apart on the way to the car.

Of course they will.

Like everything else you buy, you have a right to expect the thing to do the job it's sold for.