No, joko, I’m afraid it is you who does not “get it”.
You are quite correct. Retailers do not have to provide bags for their customers. I never suggested they do. Many do because they believe it is good business. Some charge for them, some don’t. Again, it should be for them to decide what their business will best stand.
But this measure is not being imposed by the retailers to recoup their costs. It is being imposed under mandate by the government. I would not be paying for a facility provided by the retailer because the retailer cannot afford to absorb the costs. I would be paying 5p, most of which will go to charity. Retailers currently decide whether or not to provide bags free of charge. Those that do retain the money taken for them, I know the policies of most of the retailers I use and I can choose whom I buy from. Those who would like to continue to provide free bags will no longer be able to do so thus removing their choice and mine.
As I think I said earlier, factor, if the shop wanted to charge me £40.05 for my goods, wrapped to take away, I would not know (nor care) how the costs were distributed or what they did with the money. I also have no problems with shops wanting to charge me separately for a bag, so long as it is they who decide whether or not to do so. This is not about money. What I object to is interfering, busy bodying , pettifogging rules which serve little or no purpose other than to introduce red tape ((which Mr Cameron avowed to reduce) and dictate to businesses what they may and may not do.
In general I find it increasingly worrying that many people are prepared to have the minutiae of their lives determined by politicians who, quite frankly, should occupy their minds with more important matters. It should be nobody’s business how retailers deal with their customers provided they are doing nothing illegal. If plastic bags are so hazardous the answer for the government is simple - make their use illegal. Otherwise leave businesses to decide how to deal with their customers and certainly do not compel them to collect money from their customers for charities.