Is it just me or is charging 50p for a paper bag at M&S food outrageous?

[sequin2000]

I know I should have brought a bag and I usually do. If the option was a plastic bag I would have struggled with the shopping in my arms to the car, but I thought as it was paper it wasn't so bad. What I didn't expect was to be charged 50p. M&S say the bag can be used 100 times. Is there anyone out there who has reused an M&S paper bag? AIBU in thinking most people don't realise they cost 50p, that the assistants should make this clear and that M&S are profiting from this government policy?

Same in Scotland, all bags were included from day 1

It’s not just to do with recyclability. It takes lots of resources to make those bags. It needs to be expensive enough to discourage people from using them. I think 50p is about right.

They are the most irritating bags. I usually use it to fill with paper and cardboard and then recycle when full.
really need to get better at reloading my car with bags

Of course it’s not outrageous. You know you need to take your own bags, they tell you to bring your own bags, it’s free. They advertise how much their bags cost.
Why wouldn’t you have your own bags.

It’s called taking responsibility. Not very common these days.

Most shops won’t let you leave with a basket - a couple of supermarkets here have security tags on them so you can’t anyway!

If you’re on a retail park, depending how far away you’ve parked, a lot of trollies automatically stop when you’re a certain distance from the store.

When I lived alone with no car, I bought a shopping trolley. Not the trendiest (though it was cow-print, not tartan 😂) but so helpful when packing my shopping, I just had to be a bit careful not to put eggs at the bottom!

They're taking the piss.
I spent £100 on a coat in m&s and still had to pay for a paper, which disintegrated when I went out into the rain.
And, if they are so keen on the environment, perhaps they should pay more attention to how much plastic packaging their food has.

I went shopping and when I arrived I realised my DH had removed the bags we always carry in the boot (tip run).

Knowing M & S only do paper ones I went to Aldi instead and bought compostable bags, they were OK but not as good as Co op compostable bags.

The M & S ones are just expensive rubbish.

True, some shops are awkward.

The trick is to get your keys out at the checkout, load up your handbag with as much as possible, carry the rest and swear repeatedly about forgetting the boot full of frigging shopping bags you've inadvertently left behind, yet again! 🤦‍♀️

It's not just a bag... it's an M&S bag

Paper bags aren't exactly without an environmental footprint, and the thick M&S ones can be reused loads
Comparison of Environmental Impact of Plastic, Paper and Cloth Bags

It is outrageous

Gosh, really? Thanks for that. I never would have thought of that.

Of course, this is what I often do, but I don’t always have one with me, not being possessed of 100% foresight. Like most people. On those occasions it would be useful to have the choice of buying a bag that is actually suitable for our climate.

The bags are free advertising for M&S, refunding the 60p when returning goods should be acceptable.

I always take my own bags but didn't know Primark charge now, I'm rarely in town or use that shop but I probably wouldn't buy their bag, if I forgot mine, I see it as paying to advertise their shop, can't help it but I'd walk out carrying the clothes 😆 we all have our own funny ways..

I’ve reused my M&S one loads … took it to Tesco today.

To be fair, they're very thick paper bags, much better than those from Primark. I leave a couple in my car and have reused them quire a few times now.

YABU

Is there anyone out there who has reused an M&S paper bag? Yes of course there are, what a ridiculous statement! In fact, I'd be more surprised if someone didn't reuse one at least a handful of times. I also don't think 50p is particularly expensive. Paper bags cost more to transport for a start.

I remember working at M&S when they started charging 5p for plastic bags before the law changed and people bitching at the tills about how profiteering M&S were - I'd smile and point out the money was, at that time, going to charity (as it clearly said in massive letters on the bag).

Life cycle assessments are in the GCSE chemistry and combined science specification.

Report based on environment agency 2006 report

The full 122 page report is on the government website. The one that is always surprising is how many times you need to reuse a cotton bag. I think it is 131 so a bit less than a school year!

I haven’t found a more recent one that has updated the data.

This!

I totally get that it's a deterrent and I bring my own bag 95% of the time. It's not about not taking responsibility but being out without pockets and not intending to shop. What would have been an even better deterrent would be if the assistant had asked if I wanted a 50p bag!

Disgraceful. Any steps towards reducing waste should be stopped. (Who wants to see trees anyway ?)

I got charged 50p today for a bag in a charity shop.

I’ve actually used one of these bags repeatedly over the past week to carry some reasonably heavy items around and it’s held up amazingly well. It’s not just a paper bag, it’s an M&S paper bag.

The paper bag still requires producing. Some people would never bring a bag and just use paper bag after paper bag. I’m glad that there is a price deterrent. It’s not that hard to keep up reusable bag on you.

Could you shop somewhere else maybe that suits your pocket more?