20p plastic bag tax

mr._prude

So we're now at 20p for a single use plastic bag and I fully support this.

But does anyone know why I am paying 20p for a paper bag? Should these not be free?

El_Torro

The retailer can charge whatever they like for a paper bag. You're right, there's no tax to pay.

Keep_pedalling

If the retailer wants to charge you for a paper bag they can do regardless of the law on plastic bags. I think most retailers don’t charge for paper ones.

sevenhills

From 21 May 2021 you must charge a minimum of 10 pence a bag (including VAT) for single-use carrier bags.

The above doesn't mention plastic, just a 10p tax on single use bags. The last time I bought a bag from Morrisons, it was 60p, ridiculous.

sammyjammy

I think it should be much higher, £2 at least, the number of people I see that just buy a bag for a pint of milk of similar without thought drives me crazy, bet they go straight in the black bin at home as well

sammyjammy

sammyjammy said:

I think it should be much higher, £2 at least, the number of people I see that just buy a bag for a pint of milk of similar without thought drives me crazy, bet they go straight in the black bin at home as well

Whats worse is they are usually a bag for life these days.

General_Grant

sevenhills said:

From 21 May 2021 you must charge a minimum of 10 pence a bag (including VAT) for single-use carrier bags.

The above doesn't mention plastic, just a 10p tax on single use bags. The last time I bought a bag from Morrisons, it was 60p, ridiculous.

The date of the change to 10p is correct but the bag must, amongst other qualities, be of plastic and 70 microns thick or less.  I don't think a paper bag fits the bill there.

sevenhills

sammyjammy said:

I think it should be much higher, £2 at least, the number of people I see that just buy a bag for a pint of milk of similar without thought drives me crazy, bet they go straight in the black bin at home as well

I use 2/3 plastic dog poo bags per day, multiply that by approximately 12 million dogs owned in the UK, that is over 20 million dog poo bags used daily.

You will see them around, on the streets, and in the bushes. Compare that to plastic carrier bags, seldom seen and used weekly, often used more than once. Then there are plastic wrappers used in confectionary, tobacco etc.

Although I support the plastic bag tax, perhaps people think about that too much and not the other plastic in our lives.

Katiehound

Sadly round here the long life bags (and the large shoppers) are often seen poking out of dustbins or litter bins. That will carry on until the price makes folk think about parting with cash. Clearly they have more money than sense!

The soft plastic bin in Aldi is often very full so some people do recycle their plastic.

I reuse the plastic bags I've had in the freezer, and bread bags for poo bags. In the past I have tried cardboard scoops with paper but they weren't good.

Coming back to the original question if a shop is selling you an item I assume it is quite legal for them to sell you a paper bag- after all they have to buy them in.
 Presumably you are not forced to use a bag, take your own box with you.

sarah1972

sevenhills said:

sammyjammy said:

I think it should be much higher, £2 at least, the number of people I see that just buy a bag for a pint of milk of similar without thought drives me crazy, bet they go straight in the black bin at home as well

I use 2/3 plastic dog poo bags per day, multiply that by approximately 12 million dogs owned in the UK, that is over 20 million dog poo bags used daily.

You will see them around, on the streets, and in the bushes. Compare that to plastic carrier bags, seldom seen and used weekly, often used more than once. Then there are plastic wrappers used in confectionary, tobacco etc.

Although I support the plastic bag tax, perhaps people think about that too much and not the other plastic in our lives.

I use 2/3 dog poo bags daily but they are compostable 

Lorian

40p for a paper one from Morrisons