The Demise of the Carrier Bag

[david63]

I know that it is a few weeks since the issue of carrier stopped in the shops but today was the first time that we actually "went out shopping" as opposed to going to the supermarket, or just popping in a shop for the odd item.

Due to the store not giving carrier bags away it would seem to me that there is a strong possibility, if not probability, that there will be an increase in shoplifting. We were in one shop and when purchasing goods were asked if we needed a carrier bag but this was not required as we already had a bag from a previous shop. Then it was "would you like your receipt emailing?" So we had goods in a bag from another shop and no receipt. It just seems to me that the shops are asking for trouble.

[towny44]

I am getting worried that my stock of plastic supermarket bags is quickly declining, these we use for all sorts of rubbish which is then transferred to our regular rubbish wheelie bin.
Quite soon the old stock will be gone and I will be left with no alternative but to buy my own. Now do these come in pretty multi colours like the old supermarket bags, or are they only in plain see through plastic, if the latter I might need to hide these under my coat as I go to the bin to avoid the neighbours seeing what I am throwing away!

[Kenmo1]

I was surprised that clothes shops like M&S no longer supply bags for clothes. When the new rules were introduced, for some reason I just thought it applied to food shopping. I would definitely want the receipt with me in my purse as I walked out of a shop to avoid any embarrassment if challenged by a store detective. Perhaps it is time to go back to the large paper carrier bags for clothes shopping but they aren't much good at protecting clothes if it is raining.

Maureen

[towny44]

Maureen, If your M&S purchase is over £100, they will provide you with a large heavy duty paper carrier bag, but they also seem to have ceased packing your goods for you, leaving you to sort out the large pile of goods.

[wolfie]

We've had this for a few years, what is the problem???

[GillD46]

M&S pack everything here. I keep a few (bag for life) bags in my handbag for purchases - simple. It's lovely not to see plastic bags blowing around the streets.

[Boris+]

Recently I went into an independent shop and purchased a nice top - I hadn't meant to buy anything, I didn't have a carrier bag with me. No worries, they kindly gave me a carrier bag; and the result is I will gladly go back and buy more items at that place. They may not be able to give me a bag on another occasion, but their kindness was a nice experience.

Compared with that I went the next day into a JL store, and bought a whole load of items of clothing for grandchild - again, I hadn't planned on buying anything on that particular shopping trip, I was more interested in having a walk and exercise indoors due to bad weather. The woman at the till was quite shirty - she asked me if I wanted to pay for a carrier bag (daft question - what me, pay!!!???) so I said no I would like it free of charge. Anyway, another customer came to my rescue - but I had a whole load of items and before being rescued by the other customer, I had no bag to put them in. I'm not in the habit of going around with a load of spare bags, I use a nice small handbag which doesn't have room for carrier bags, just the essentials; and I really didn't want to have to go back to the car to get carrier bags - it was a nasty rainy day.

I went and bought some items in a cosmetic/perfumery store, and they gave me a strong paper carrier bag - so why can't other stores/shops provide paper carrier bags? Ok, it's not 'paper' but a grade of paper which is called something like 'craft paper' which is used, but it can look stylish and last for more than one use. I know these are probably more costly than the cheap supermarket thin plastic bags, but I really do think that if a retailer expects to sell goods, then that retailer should provide some means of wrapping up items for customers. I can remember some charming shops which used to wrap up purchases with brown paper and string - weren't those lovely times?

[Manoverboard]

I like the Sainsbury's approach in that they will charge you 5p for each bag but you will receive a ' For Life ' version meaning that they are uniquely helping to cut down the numbers that finish up in landfill. For Online deliveries they still supply the single use ones but make a 40p standard charge.

Viva Sainsbugs

[oldbluefox]

I can't see the problem some people have with providing their own carrier bags or in keeping a fold up shopping bag in their pocket/handbag. What happened to people going shopping and taking a shopping bag with them? The alternative is to pay 5p for a bag. Good heavens, it's not a lot of money, it goes to charity or can be re-used as a waste bin liner or for future shopping trips.
I welcome the fact that the streets and the countryside are no longer littered with the things because people can't be bothered to re-cycle or dispose of them properly. It has also slowed down those who put about 3 items in a bag in the supermarket before taking a new one.
The only issue I have is that it should apply to every retailer, not just those with 250 employees or above.

[Jan Rosser]

We have had the carrier bag charge in Wales since 2011 and cannot remember such a fuss Yes in the beginning you felt why should you pay but its no big deal - honestly you need to get a grip - get used to carrying those small fold-up bags which fit into a handbag or pocket very easily or pay 5p - for goodness sake if you can afford a cruise you can afford to buy a carrier bag

Supermarket shopping bags are kept in the car - usually stronger ones for heavier goods and if you buy "bags for life" the retailer will replace them if they tear - no big deal surely and you will be surprised how quickly you get into the habit of taking your own bags with you

[david63]

I have not said that it is a "problem" - it is just a matter of getting into the mindset of taking a bag with you, like wot we used to go 50 or so years ago but the difference then was that you did get your purchases wrapped up for you and not just thrust at you.

I am still of the opinion that it will lead to more shoplifting which in turn will mean higher prices for us all.

[oldbluefox]

- honestly you need to get a grip - get used to carrying those small fold-up bags which fit into a handbag or pocket very easily or pay 5p - for goodness sake if you can afford a cruise you can afford to buy a carrier bag

Couldn't agree more, Jan. It should have been introduced years ago.
Agreed, David, it's just a matter of getting into a different mindset but for some people it's quite an issue and they see no reason why the rules should apply to them.
Our local Aldi insist on looking in your shopping bags as they have noticed a rise in shoplifting, Some people will just use any opportunity for dishonesty.

[GillD46]

We have had the carrier bag charge in Wales since 2011 and cannot remember such a fuss Yes in the beginning you felt why should you pay but its no big deal - honestly you need to get a grip - get used to carrying those small fold-up bags which fit into a handbag or pocket very easily or pay 5p - for goodness sake if you can afford a cruise you can afford to buy a carrier bag

Supermarket shopping bags are kept in the car - usually stronger ones for heavier goods and if you buy "bags for life" the retailer will replace them if they tear - no big deal surely and you will be surprised how quickly you get into the habit of taking your own bags with you

I so agree Janis. Even before the ruling started in Wales, I had always carried and reused bags - for over 20 years!

[qbman1]

- honestly you need to get a grip - get used to carrying those small fold-up bags which fit into a handbag or pocket very easily or pay 5p - for goodness sake if you can afford a cruise you can afford to buy a carrier bag

Couldn't agree more, Jan. It should have been introduced years ago.
Agreed, David, it's just a matter of getting into a different mindset but for some people it's quite an issue and they see no reason why the rules should apply to them.
Our local Aldi insist on looking in your shopping bags as they have noticed a rise in shoplifting, Some people will just use any opportunity for dishonesty.

It's probably the same in Welsh Wales, but on a visit to Scotland in August, ALL shops are required to charge for bags, even the smallest ones that are excluded in England (why ?!) and there were no problems whatsoever. Maybe all this kerfuffle is just because it is a new thing and it will all settle down soon.

[Stephen]

I think it's one of the governments better decisions eradicating the food shopping carrier bags.

We use the Morrisons 'for life' bags and our own. It was surprising how quick it caught on as well with shoppers.

If you forget, you pay. Simple.

[qbman1]

I have yet to come across anyone who does not think it is a good idea so I really don't know what all the fuss is about

[gfwgfw]

The good news is that Charities will be the beneficiaries of the bag charge, but more importantly our environment will be much cleaner

Hurrah

Lubbooo all

Graham

[Boris+]

We are all entitled to our own views, and I respect that. I don't like this new idea, and I don't trust some big organisations to pass on the money collected, and at the same time the money which does go to some of these charities - well I don't and won't support certain charities, and I don't like being forced into giving money which allegedly goes to charities I don't support.

However, there is the other issue - I don't like being inconvenienced, I don't like having bulky pockets and I refuse to use large handbags.

It's just not for me - on a grocery shopping day I can manage with nice fabric bags which I have been given, but on a saunter through department stores and the like I do expect to be provided with a bag.

Then there is one last issue for me - I refuse point blank to pay for a carrier bag which advertises the name of the shop I've been in. IF I pay for a bag I expect it to be blank. If the shop wants me to carry around their advertising, they can pay me.

[Mervyn and Trish]

We have had the carrier bag charge in Wales since 2011 and cannot remember such a fuss Yes in the beginning you felt why should you pay but its no big deal - honestly you need to get a grip - get used to carrying those small fold-up bags which fit into a handbag or pocket very easily or pay 5p - for goodness sake if you can afford a cruise you can afford to buy a carrier bag

Supermarket shopping bags are kept in the car - usually stronger ones for heavier goods and if you buy "bags for life" the retailer will replace them if they tear - no big deal surely and you will be surprised how quickly you get into the habit of taking your own bags with you

Yes, exactly. What she said.

[qbman1]

We are all entitled to our own views, and I respect that. I don't like this new idea, and I don't trust some big organisations to pass on the money collected, and at the same time the money which does go to some of these charities - well I don't and won't support certain charities, and I don't like being forced into giving money which allegedly goes to charities I don't support.

However, there is the other issue - I don't like being inconvenienced, I don't like having bulky pockets and I refuse to use large handbags.

It's just not for me - on a grocery shopping day I can manage with nice fabric bags which I have been given, but on a saunter through department stores and the like I do expect to be provided with a bag.

Then there is one last issue for me - I refuse point blank to pay for a carrier bag which advertises the name of the shop I've been in. IF I pay for a bag I expect it to be blank. If the shop wants me to carry around their advertising, they can pay me.

You are certainly entitled to your opinion and that is fair enough but I don't think you will find that many who agree.

I shall be interested to hear how you get on next time you are in M&S and demand a plain, unbranded bag.

[qbman1]

We have had the carrier bag charge in Wales since 2011 and cannot remember such a fuss Yes in the beginning you felt why should you pay but its no big deal - honestly you need to get a grip - get used to carrying those small fold-up bags which fit into a handbag or pocket very easily or pay 5p - for goodness sake if you can afford a cruise you can afford to buy a carrier bag

Supermarket shopping bags are kept in the car - usually stronger ones for heavier goods and if you buy "bags for life" the retailer will replace them if they tear - no big deal surely and you will be surprised how quickly you get into the habit of taking your own bags with you

Yes, exactly. What she said.

What's up, Merv? Must be this soft, southern air. You are agreeing with everyone all of a sudden !

[towny44]

You are certainly entitled to your opinion and that is fair enough but I don't think you will find that many who agree.

I shall be interested to hear how you get on next time you are in M&S and demand a plain, unbranded bag.

I have to say I agree with Boris, but mainly because I doubt it will have any impact on the environment.
Once I run out of supermarket bags I will have to buy some sort of plastic bags to continue to put rubbish in the wheelie bin, and I assume most other people will as well. The result will be exactly the same number of plastic bags going to landfill as there are now, and since all environmental groups state that landfill is the major cause of plastic bag pollution, what's the point of this stupid tax.

[qbman1]

Once I run out of supermarket bags I will have to buy some sort of plastic bags to continue to put rubbish in the wheelie bin.

Yes, but you can get recyclable bin liners for that (and I re-use all those unsolicited charity bags that are incessantly pushed through my letterbox!)

[towny44]

Once I run out of supermarket bags I will have to buy some sort of plastic bags to continue to put rubbish in the wheelie bin.

Yes, but you can get recyclable bin liners for that (and I re-use all those unsolicited charity bags that are incessantly pushed through my letterbox!)

I suspect that the charity plastic bags are just as toxic when they end up in the ocean. As for biodegradeable bags, which I assume you meant, I imagine these sell at a premium, and I suspect that environmental concerns are unlikely to overcome most peoples desire to buy the cheapest type when they are just for throwing away.

[qbman1]

Yes, all true - you will never eliminate plastic bags altogether but there is no doubt that charging for plastic carriers significantly reduces the numbers floating around in the hedgerows and oceans. Surely that cannot be a bad thing ?