The Charge For Supermarket Plastic Bags Comes Into Force On Monday, Will You Pay The 5P Cost For Each Bag Or Provide Your Own Bags?

[anotheoldgit]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/11892387/Carrier-bag-5p-charge-everything-you-need-to-know.html

[RATTER15]

We do a bit of both here in Wales where it has been in force for years. we often take our own bags but also we pay the 5p to get bags, not a problem either way. Nobody takes any notice of it here to be honest, A few pence on your shopping isnt really worth worrying about!

[fiction-factory]

We have taken our own bags for years unless it was an impulse purchase, so it won't make any difference- except I may keep a couple of cheap plastic ones inside my stronger bags in case I need to wrap up some meat

[ToraToraTora]

provide my own anyway.

[ToraToraTora]

hows it going to work with deliveries?

[Prudie]

My own bags if I remember to take one otherwise I'll pay. I don't know why people think this is such a big deal. 5p is miniscule.

[Gromit]

Probably both.
At the moment, if I do planned shopping I will take my own 'bag for life'.
However, if the shopping is unplanned and I visit the supermarket on a whim without my own bag, I will have to pay the new charge.
I doubt the threat of a charge will deter my unplanned shopping. So it is difficult to see the point of it all.

[RATTER15]

TTT, if it is delivered in bags, then you will need to pay the charge!

[anotheoldgit]

/// What happens if I get my shopping delivered? ///
ToraToraTora

/// hows it going to work with deliveries? ///

*** Defra has told retailers they should consider offering bagless deliveries. If they don't, or the customer doesn't go for the bagless option, they will either be charged 5p per bag, or charged for an average number of bags - since the exact number may not be known at the time the order is placed. ***

[Baldric]

Got a bit of a mention here

http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/ChatterBank/Question1442452-6.html

[Prudie]

LOL Baldric, a lot put there 5p worth on that thread.

[B00]

I have a bag of re-usable bags which I use and have done for the past ooooo 5 years or so?
I really hate plastic bags and will often (nicely) stop a shop assistant putting an item in a carrier without asking me first.

As a checkout operator (sounds grand dunnit?) I'm amazed at the utter outrage i've encountered from (some) customers who are seemingly appalled by this levy.

[anotheoldgit]

fiction-factory

/// I may keep a couple of cheap plastic ones inside my stronger bags in case I need to wrap up some meat ///

You won't have to pay for a bag if it is for carrying meat.

*** Which plastic bags can I still get for free? ***

• uncooked fish, meat and poultry (even if it's in a packet)
• unwrapped food, or food sold in containers that normally won't prevent leaking
• unwrapped loose seeds and flowers
• unwrapped blades
• prescription medicine
• live fish
• bags at airports or on trains, planes or ships

[ummmm]

I usually get my shopping delivered and always click the 'bagless' option. As your list above I was told I wouldn't be charged for the bags they use.

Salad etc is delivery in brown paper bags. I can't see why meat and household products can't be as well.

[mikey4444]

We have debated this many times here on AB !

All the supermarkets sell these strong bags-for-life, for about 50p.

I can personally recommend the ones from Tesco, Sainsbury's and Morrisons. I have never had to take one back and honour the if-it-breaks-we-will-give-you-another-one promise. My niece managed to move house with the aid of about 20 of these !

Al you have to do is to remember to put them back in the boot of your car when you return from shopping. It really isn't rocket science.

Avoid the thin plastic ones, as they aren't really strong enough and have a tendency to break.

Simples !

[ichkeria]

I'd have thought deliveries should be exempt as presumably its 'greener' to have your stuff delivered.
As for the question, it may concentrate the mind occasionally but aside from the 5ps hopefully being put to good use I can't see it making a lot of difference.if we were serious about it we'd stop shops providing them.
But these bags do have uses. We recycle all ours either as food waste bags or in recycle bins

[B00]

"Al you have to do is to remember to put them back in the boot of your car when you return from shopping. It really isn't rocket science. "

What I've personally encountered is that whilst customers do remember to put their empty bags back in the car, they seem incapable of remembering to get them out the car into the store- ive lost count of the number of times i've been told when asked if they want bags "oh, yes please-ive got loads in the car, just forget to bring 'em"....

[anotheoldgit]

Makes one wonder why they can't supply biodegradable bags?

[ummmm]

I have loads of Morrisons bags for life. Not the thicker plastic ones the ones that are similar to laundry bags. I think they are 70p. They are brilliant for round the house. I have 4 co-op canvas bags. They are great for taking on flights. I also have a couple of hessian Londis bags...also really good.

Do I remember to bring them to the supermarket....rarely...

[B00]

As well as or instead of the levy AOG?

[anotheoldgit]

ummmm

/// Salad etc is delivery in brown paper bags. I can't see why meat and household products can't be as well. ///

*** An Environment Agency report found that on some measures, particularly carbon emissions, paper bags were worse for the environment than plastic. ***