To think 5p for each carrier bag is a rip off

[AuntiePickleBottom]

i just seen notices from the 1st October every shop in Wales has to charge a minimum of 5p per carrier bag, even the paper ones.

Now I guess that I could take my own but I don't think it is very hygienic

Keep meat in a cold bag you can wipe them clean everything else in a cloth bag which only needs washing every so often when obviously grotty.

5p is cheap. When I worked in Waitrose carrier bags were 10p each. That was in 1979.

Buy ripstop nylon bags and bung them in the washing machine every now and then.

Take tupperware containers to put meat into - thus keeping any bacteria contained. Then wash the tupperware that the meat has been carried home in when you arrive home and place to one side for using next shop.

If you are using a butchers - then they can place the tupperware on the scales and then tear the scales and then place the meat directly ino your container meaning even less waste.

MrsFluff - we aren't allowed to keep the profits, we have to give them to a charity. I've just come in to work and had to sign a piece of paper saying that I had seen the notice, which said something like "the government has legislated that all companies must choose a charity and donate the 5ps to said charity. To not do so would be a fineable offence."

We, apparently, have chosen the RSPCA. I'm pretty certain we have more local charities than one over 50 miles away, but that is a whole other gripe.

(This could, of course, just be managements way of scaring us into remembering to charge, but I sincerely doubt it.)

It's supposed to stop you using them. That's the point...

Trust me- the shop I work in is not chuffed about it either. Especially as we sell rather a lot of fabric items.

All I can say is remember to bring along a few 5p coins with you, especially if you use your card. Not everywhere will be able to charge the bag cost to your card and they probably will refuse you a bag.

If it bothers you, just pay 5p. It wont break the bank.

22 cents over here and honestly it's one of the best schemes (in terms of achieving it's aims and being effective) that the government brought in.

I usually remember to take carrier bags when I do supermarket shopping. It's things like other smaller shops where you wouldn't necessarily be thinking of it where it might cause people a bit of irritation. The charging for paper bags as well - people going into Mcdonalds with old Sainsburys bags. Weird. But a good idea if stops people chucking plastic bags in the bin.

Yabu. I've used canvas / bags for life for at least 10yrs, I'm still here.

I suppose I don't buy meat very often though, and I do tend to use a plastic bag for that. I wash my canvas bags every so often if they've been used for meat.

It gets worse! Take Tupperware boxes??? Do you people think there's Ebola virus hiding everywhere?

I bet Wales will have a higher percentage of people who do online grocery shops saying they want bagless deliveries.

Why don't you have a bag that you reserve especially for carrying raw meat in?

I use reusable bags every time I shop and if I go on foot, I take my granny trolley. I have to say that it's never occurred to me to worry about meat

I'm with picnic , I remember for big shops, its when I'm picking up a few bits that I forget.

But I'll be honest, I'm not worried about the hygiene, just that its an inconvenience to me. I'll just spend a pound less to compensate!

McDonalds are in on it?

So when they are charging for all bags does that include the wrappings for hot take-away food?

Sardine all shops including take aways

Even if you have food delivered? Can I send in a supply of carriers to my fave takeaway do you reckon?

yep- although I heard that if you go through the drivethrough at a McD you can't be charged.

The funny thing is, this really bugs me, not the cost but I never remember bags. But, as soon as I go back to Ireland, it becomes second nature within seconds. Why can't I be so organised here??

I am totally perplexed by why you would need to put meat in a tupperware or separate bag. It's already in a plastic box!

I think it's great that supermarkets charge now - no-one in Germany uses plastic bags, just reusable cloth ones and it makes so much more sense.

You're paying for it already, everyone is, indirectly as part of shop overheads that get passed into prices of goods. Now all that happens is that you'll be aware of that cost.

This shows how fucking confusing it could be

lljkk - ahh, so the price of goods will go down to compensate... Well thats okay then (I am joking btw)

OMG I'd rather hand over 5p than stand there like silly boy lemon while they consult their list :o