Carrier Bags

[supapapa]

My mate says it is illegal for supermarkets to charge for carrier bags with the company name on, it he correct

[sunny-dave]

No

[Tilly2]

I don't think so.

[Mamyalynne]

http://www.snopes.com/5p-bag-charge/

[Psybbo]

No

[Buenchico]

He's talking absolute rubbish.

The law states that firms with more than 250 employees MUST charge for carrier bags. As long as the bags are within the size/thickness limits defined in the legislation, there can be NO exceptions (other than those exceptions allowed by law anyway, such as when the bags are used solely to wrap certain loose or wet products).

(BTW: The rule about 250 employees is applied in England. It may be different elsewhere; in Wales for example, ALL shops must charge for carrier bags)

[Jackdaw33]

I am baffled as to what the number of employees has got to do with it

[Svejk]

Yes, in Wales they charge in corner shops and takeaways.

[KARL]

As a complete aside: The composition of the English law on charging or not for plastic carrier bags is a beautiful example of farcical legislation - and it is brand new. It provides a snazzy parallel to allegations regarding, often mythical, daft EU legislation.

[THECORBYLOON]

CHRIS it's not even as straightforward as more than 250 employees it's more than 250 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees. You could employ 400 folk all of whom work part-time and not need to charge for bags.

[diddlydo]

Whilst I heartily approve of supermarkets charging for bags (I've been taking my own bags to supermarkets for about 30 years and used to get funny looks!) I think the legislation has gone too far. For example, when I buy a garment from M&S I'd rather it was put in a clean un-used bag - please could they follow Primark's example and provide free paper bags?

[Buenchico]

You're obviously not in Wales, Diddlydo, because retailers have to charge for paper carrier bags there too.

[ubasses]

Next time you purchase clothes, pay 5p for a carrier bag then keep it in your
handbag for future clothes purchases. You will always have a clean carrier that way.

[whiskeryron]

I always carry 2 plastic shopping bags & can use them for shopping or sitting on a wet bench or seat.

[jennyjoan]

I just pay 5p - what is it after all - they are a bloody nuisance in your purse.

[Prudie]

I just pay too if I have to, can't be arsed to have carriers in my handbag but agree with diddlydo, for supermarkets I fully support the policy but I don't think I should have to buy a bag when purchasing clothes.

[Hopkirk]

Why not, Prudie?

[Prudie]

Because clothes really need to go in some kind of bag, I'd rather they added 5p to the price and didn't tell me but the collection of money is supposedly not their point. I don't buy clothes enough to add to the plastic pile.

[Hopkirk]

Just take a bag when you go shopping then.

[Prudie]

It's usually impulse buying but that's not the point. If you buy cheese you expect to get it in some protective wrap. I think clothes are the same.

[Mamyalynne]

I rarely forget my own bags but if I do I'll just buy one - get most of my groceries delivered and the nice people bring them to my kitchen table.

No bags needed there,apart from the odd one for meat etc.