MSE News: Tesco to replace 5p single-use bags with 10p bags for life

jon81uk

jenniewb wrote: »

Where are these 1p bags? The cheapest value bag I've found (which is smaller than a Tesco 5p bag) is 2p per bag and I've tried doubling them up and they still split if I use them for anything with an edge (which would include a carrot skin, an apple core, tin foil, a can egde....) so I tried tripling them up, but the air inbetween the bags just prevented this from working.

I buy Banquet recycled refuse sacks when they are on offer at Costco, 90 bags for £5.98 is 6.6p per bag. These are large black bin bags and it goes in the large kitchen bin and does me for at least a week, maybe two weeks (only a two person household). Also I separate recyclables so there isn't loads going in black sack bin.
For a good strong bin bag 6.6p per week seems pretty good value to me. I rarely re-use plastic carrier bags for much, usually when taking drinks to parties at friends and I don't want to worry about bringing a bag back home.

Stompa

jenniewb wrote: »

Where are these 1p bags?

We use these:

http://www.wilko.com/bin-bags+bin-liners/wilko-functional-pedal-bin-liners-50pk/invt/0332690

which are 1.2p per bag, so I was exaggerating a bit. They're probably about the same size and strength as the old Tesco single use bags (though without handles). Something sharp will split them pretty easily though.

Doom_and_Gloom

ScarletMarble wrote: »

I never understood why people still are unable to remember their own bags. I have seen customers in supermarkets asking for bags as left them in the car! Why not pack at the car? May get one 5p bag for small items like stock cubes, packet sauce mixes, packs of painkillers.
If it rains or a strong gale, treat it as punishment.

What's this thing with people in social housing never bother to reuse bags? Had them going in my shop, buying one or two items and ask for a bag when they have three other bags (all new) with hardly anything in them. One example yesterday was one customer bought a box of tampons and a roll on deodorant. She could easily put them in another bag.

I have also seen them asking for a bag when buying nappies which has a handle - designed to be carried on their own.

Some people must have wasted £100 on bags since the bag charge

Yep I understand this completely as I work in a Supermarket. I've had customers also say about bags in the car. If I say about putting it back in the trolley and packing at the car I usually mention how it's easier to have everything heavy etc at the bottom and easy to break/squishy items etc at the top. Still most get bags :eek:. Some look at me as if they never thought of that and thank me while putting the shopping in the trolley. It wouldn't surprise me if a lot of the customers I have have spent a minimum of 5pX6pwX97w=£29.10. Most would as you say spent a lot more. Many buy the 10p bags only and I have one customer that seems to buy the 50p bag nearly once a week! It isn't just the money they are wasting though, the main issue is the resources involved in making all these bags.
No household should be creating the same amount of waste that could go in these 5p bags each week. If they are just goes to show how wasteful they are. My bet is they are binning a lot of food. Again waste of resources.

Eve_Scan

Can anyone please explain to me why kfc charge 5p for a paper bag and get away with it, I thought it was only plastic bags that had the charge.....

jon81uk

Eve_Scan wrote: »

Can anyone please explain to me why kfc charge 5p for a paper bag and get away with it, I thought it was only plastic bags that had the charge.....

Are you in Scotland or Wales? The rules there are that paper is chargable as well as plastic https://www.mygov.scot/carrier-bag-charge/ and http://www.carrierbagchargewales.gov.uk/retailers/bagsincluded/?lang=en

Its only England that allows free paper bags.

The only possible exception at KFC/McDonalds is if you ordered fries only, as the card/paper sleeve is open at the top they could provide a bag for free. But if you ask/need a bag big enough to hold the burger as well (that is completly wrapped) then its a 5p charge.

robinwales

Spend about £10 on 4 very strong longlife bags (they will last for years). Keep them in the boot of the car so they are always there. I self-scan and as I go round the store and scan I put the items straight into the bags. It is so easy.

Scritti

For those of us that do buy the occasional 5p bags (I do re-use them but also use them as bin liners), Lidl has recently changed theirs and they are brilliant. The exact opposite of the terrible Morrisons and Tesco bags, the new Lidl ones are really thick and strong so you can use them many times over. The only 5p bags I don't feel ripped-off buying (the Sainsbury's ones are also strong but a weird shape so don't make a good bin liner).

deely

with the move to the newer multi use bags, does that mean the shops are no longer 'requested' to donate the bag money to charity?

BorisThomson

deely wrote: »

with the move to the newer multi use bags, does that mean the shops are no longer 'requested' to donate the bag money to charity?

Tesco have confirmed they will continue to run the Bags of Help scheme, which is funded through the sale of bags.

A._Badger

Here's a little light reading for virtue signallers who dismissed the suggestion that the bag tax wasn't without its health problems. It's from the Food standards Agency, via the BBC.


Bags for life can pose food poisoning risk - Food Standards Agency

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-41467099