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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To think the Body Shop shouldn't be charging 5p for paper bags?

121 replies

FatherReboolaConundrum · 05/10/2015 11:33

Went in to the Body Shop at the weekend and the tills had a sign saying that from today bags would cost 5p. Since they only use recycled paper bags, not the plastic bags that are covered by the new law, AIBU to think the Body Shop is being very cheeky indeed?

OP posts:
Stillunexpected · 05/10/2015 11:36

They can charge whatever they want for their bags! I don't think it is cheeky at all.

GoblinLittleOwl · 05/10/2015 11:38

They can choose to charge whatever they wish for their bags; I also can choose not to shop there, and I will.

LemonySmithit · 05/10/2015 11:39

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Crankycunt · 05/10/2015 11:39

All bags including paper are being charged for now.

Zucker · 05/10/2015 11:39

Cheeky gits if that charge has only come in to coincide with the plastic bag charge.

KingJoffreyLikesJaffaCakes · 05/10/2015 11:40

The Body Shop is wank. And totally up it's own arse.

I'm amazed they don't charge for entry.

dementedpixie · 05/10/2015 11:40

In Scotland the charge applies to paper and plastic bags but in England I don't think they have to charge for paper ones. It's up to the body shop as to whether they charge or not tbh.

patterkiller · 05/10/2015 11:49

On a recent visit to Scotland we called for a McDonald's breakfast and was handed two bloody boiling hash browns and sausage burgers as I'd said no to a bag. I honestly thought he was asking if I wanted a carrier type rather than just the normal paper bags. I thought hot food would be an exception but apparently not.

Oysterbabe · 05/10/2015 11:53

They have to charge for them now.

FatherReboolaConundrum · 05/10/2015 11:55

Of course they can Still, but the wording was obviously designed to make people think that it was being introduced tody in order to comply with the new law, which I think only covers plastic bags, not their recycled paper ones. Making people think they have to charge 5p when they don't is cheeky.

OP posts:
Whatabout · 05/10/2015 11:58

Paper bags are exempt so they are just cheeky chancers. www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-34346309 Quite a good overview.

Lulu1083 · 05/10/2015 11:59

I agree Rebecca. The 5p everyone else charges goes to charity, I wonder where theirs is going?

FatherReboolaConundrum · 05/10/2015 12:00

No they don't have to charge for them Oysterbabe, paper bags are not included in the new law. Government guidance says:
A bag is considered as such if it has an opening and isn’t sealed. You must charge at least 5p a bag for carrier bags that are all of the following:
unused - it’s new and hasn’t been used previously for sold goods to be taken away or delivered; plastic; with handles; 70 microns thick or less.

OP posts:
HuckfromScandal · 05/10/2015 12:01

Everybody needs to get the F over the bag charging. It's a good thing, it makes people use less. Even if they are recycled and paper, they stll have an environmental cost, it's just that cost is less that a plastic bag.
England has not gone far enough with this IMO, Scotland are charging for everything, including takeaways, and paper bags.

if you don't like it - don't shop there. Easypeasy

NotMeNotYouNotAnyone · 05/10/2015 12:02

They're included in the law in Wales.

In the Republic of ireland (where plastic bags have been charged 15c tax for at least ten years) most big shops switched to paper to avoid the tax. Not much good in the rain though!

Hullygully · 05/10/2015 12:06

FUCKING OUTRAGE

Felyne · 05/10/2015 12:10

Pretty sure they charged for bags before now, I'm sure I paid for one last time I was there (usually take my own bags).

I think it's like complaining about getting a speeding fine. If you don't want to pay, there's a simple solution.

It's just a habit to get into and no harder to remember bags than remembering say an umbrella on a rainy day.

LittleBearPad · 05/10/2015 12:13

And you don't have to take a bag.

Just because the bag is recycled doesn't mean it doesn't have an unnecessary environmental cost.

FatherReboolaConundrum · 05/10/2015 12:16

Charging for plastic bags is a good idea. Charging for paper bags is fine if that's what you want to do and probably also a good idea. I don't think it's fine to give a misleading impression that the law is suddenly forcing them into charging for something they are not required to charge for.

OP posts:
FingerOFudge · 05/10/2015 12:20

LOL Hullygully!

Get in the habit of always having a fold up bag in your handbag/pocket.

I was outraged when they stopped taking the bottles back to be refilled though. Decade old outrage.

bettyberry · 05/10/2015 12:22

I think the paper bags should be charged for too. Yes, they are biodegradable but the resources that go into them can be as much as the plastic equivalent not to mention the impact if the paper ones are sent to landfill when they degrade and produce Methane gas that is a pretty potent greenhouse gas. A good reason to compost at home btw.

Next up I want them to ban fruit and veg being wrapped in plastic. Once we get used to taking reusable bags for carrying shopping home. Taking smaller reusable bags for veggies wont be so hard.

WorktoLive · 05/10/2015 12:23

YABU

It's to encourage reuse of bags and reduction of the amount of bags that get used once and thrown away. Take a bag with you for shopping or pay up.

I'm going to get a couple of these for things like clothes and toiletries to keep in my handbag. Machine washable too, so don't need to worry about using a manky carrier for nice clean clothes.

Felyne · 05/10/2015 12:23

"I don't think it's fine to give a misleading impression that the law is suddenly forcing them into charging for something they are not required to charge for."

I think that is a fair point.

EponasWildDaughter · 05/10/2015 12:25

They never offer a bag in our BShop. The taking of a bag feels actively discouraged.

I'm guessing they are taking advantage of the timing of the charge for plastic bags to further discourage the use of unnecessary packaging. No bad thing.

FatherReboolaConundrum · 05/10/2015 12:26

That's not what I have a problem with Fudge (and christ knows who ever buys enough from the Body Shop to need a carrier bag in the first place). But I do have problem with a business making people think they they have to charge for something when they don't. But I'm obviously in a minority Grin.

OP posts: