Or are Boots for charging for paper bags?

[ImABeanBanana]

I'm trying to reuse a tote bag for shopping but was caught out this evening when I went to Boots. When I went to the till I found the bags were paper which is great but I was then charged for it. AIBU or is this CF territory? Wasn't the idea that plastic bags had a charge due to environmental impact? I can't even reuse the bloody thing if I wanted to! I don't mind if it's like Flying Tiger or Sainsbury's and I get a tote but can't understand this.

AIBU?

I've been out all day with my mum finding out about her cancer so Mumsnet not overly my priority 🤷‍♀️

When I said 'eventually' I was not referring to the time scale but more the fact you didn't answer the actual question at first.

I'm not sure why you have an issue with me asking, it was simply to clarify because the rules are different in different UK countries. I was trying to be helpful.

I am very sorry about your mum.

I was thinking this the other day. Brilliant they've ditched the plastic, but the point of the charge was that the money would go to charity. Is it still going to charity I wonder? Maybe it is at boots, but are all companies that switched doing that or is it more money in their coffers?

Because boots still have to pay to manufacture the bags (more expensive than plastic, hence why most places use plastic)
Because paper has a carbon footprint even though it is smaller than plastic
Because they are trying to encourage people to use a reusable bag

Because they are trying to encourage people to use a reusable bag

And because it’s another way to make money.

And because it’s another way to make money.

Which they're donating to charity.
From the available evidence, no shops are profiting from the charge on basic bags.

If you're bothered about the environment, remember to take bags or accept the charge without carping.

I'd rather the money was all going to conservation charities but apart from that it's fine.

If paper is more expensive than plastic and has a bigger environmental impact why the actual hell are they even offering it? The whole point of the exercise was to help save the planet not to make things worse or to make money for charity

I don’t believe boots will donate all profits to charity - they’ll find a way to keep some.

It doesn't matter what you believe. If they state they're giving x amount to charity, there'll be evidence of that.

I'd rather they charged so the culture of recycle is still upheld - people will think 'won't take a bag to Boots as you get a free bag' which is not the point - recycle more, better, long term is what we need to really push

@slipperywhensparticus I don't think it has a bigger environmental impact, but it certainly doesn't have NO environmental impact. To make a paper bag you have to cut down trees, process it, ship the bags to wherever they're going.

The big advantage of paper is that it can be recycled and it biodegradable so if someone throws it in a hedge/river it will break down and not damage animals or hang around in the ocean for 1000 years.
Bringing a reusable bag is still a better option.

I'm all for doing my bit, but feel it's unfair that it's always the end customers that have to make the changes, not the manufacturers or retailers

But in the end these things are being made because we as customers want them. The reality is that we need to adjust our own expectations and wants, not everything can be regulated, and we cannot expect to have all the things we might want (bags on demand! Disposable wipes! Everything easy!) and also be environmentally sustainable.

If paper is more expensive than plastic and has a bigger environmental impact why the actual hell are they even offering it?

Because it makes them look good. Creates the impression that they're a caring, sharing company.

Teachermaths;
'just put the wet waste straight outside'. Are you supposed to put it on the garden? If I put it in my wheelie bin I want the bin to stay clean; soI use a bin bag anyway.

I don’t believe boots will donate all profits to charity - they’ll find a way to keep some.

It doesn't really matter what you believe.