Overpriced paper and plastic bags at supermarkets

[ladykale]

In the uk we’ve reached a point where everyday price gouging and rip offs have been normalised.

10p plastic bags were supposedly introduced for the environment - yet even piece of fruit and veg is wrapped in unnecessary plastic!

now stores such as M&S charge you 40p for a paper bag that can barely stay intact to hold a bag of shopping, then 80p if you actually need a plastic bag that won’t disintegrate in the rain

absolutely ridiculous!

Just put a plastic bag you already own in the pocket of your coat or handbag. They roll up really small.

This problem is really simple to fix!

Yes! That's why they were named 'bags for life'.

Apparently we're not allowed to do that!

I try to have one in each handbag and loads in the car. Otherwise I would forget. I resent paying for it

Yes it was good reduce plastic wastage on bags but theres been no similar campaign against disposable nappies, in fact its barely ever mentioned on any discussion about the environment and waste.

I buy most fruit and veg loose, but I can’t buy everything I want that way. I take all the soft plastic wrapping back to the supermarket whenever I do my weekly shop. It has probably cut the amount of rubbish that goes in my non-recyclable wheelie bin by about 50%.

I can’t genuinely can’t remember when I last bought a plastic or paper bag.

All of my shopping bags live in the car apart from three things cotton ones that go into my handbag, I have no excuse for not having them to hand!

i begrudge paying for bags, even when they were 10p. i switched to reusable bags long before the charge was introduced, for environmental reasons and also because i found myself drowning in them at home.

i have a fold up tote i keep in hand bag for ad hoc shopping, a selection of reusable bags for the weekly food shop, which i take when i do my weekly shop and a tote bag for clothes shopping.

Like a PP, if I forget a bag I use an old wine carton/box from where the staff are unpacking. Very handy and can then go in cardboard recycling when I get home.

I understand charging for the plastic bag. I don’t understand the charge for the paper bag!

Agree ..not sure what the logic is apart from making a profit TBH !

I really rate those cotton net bags which scrunch up into nothing in a handbag, but fit in tons.

https://amzn.eu/d/0K4TmEG

Oh that's a shame, I wonder why not at a charity shop? I could understand if it was a food shop.

I've put the big recycled plastic shopping bags through the wash too. It's fine. They woven type ones.

They still exist. I still have them and have exchanged ripped ones in both Sainsburys and Tesco recently

I don't understand why as it is the very definition of reuse

Meh, I never have a bag with me when I need one so always have to pay for one. It’s the price I pay for my own disorganisation. They are actively trying to put you off forgetting to bring your own bags - if they were 5p/10p it’s not much of an incentive for bringing your own is it?
I don’t carry a bag and hate things in my pockets, never remember to put bags in my car either. It’s on me, my fault, I pay the price. I don’t moan about it, of course they’re price gouging. If you disagree with the plastic packaging in shops (and a lot of people do), change your shopping habits. I wanted 2 pears the other day but they were sold in plastic bags of 5. I just didn’t buy them and went without.

Plastic bag tax is still 10p. OP is right in that shops are using it to make a profit. But equally since the tax was implemented inflation has driven up the cost of everything else, so why would bags be any different.

I haven't taken a bag from a shop in about 20 years, always keep a lightweight reusable in my handbag for random purchases. Any reason you can't do that OP?

Paper is an incredibly resource heavy industry. It uses huge amounts of energy, water and chemicals and massive factories to produce and recycle.

It's simply not a case of it being fine for single use as its not plastic. It's really not.

Plus it's heavier but not as durable or protective as plastic.

It could well be that in some cases, plastic is the greener option especially if it's reused and recycled or disposed of responsibly.

Google ‘reusable, foldable shopping bag’, they often come in packs of 4-6, are small when folded, very light, and are not expensive. Place on of these in each of your handbags, then you’ll always have one at hand when you spontaneously decide to pick something up from the shop (like me).

There's a thousand or more bags on sale that are made of recycled materials that fold up so tiny, you can hide one in a clenched fist - why haven't you bought a couple to put in your handbag or coat pocket?

I can put hand on heart and say Ive not paid for a single carrier since the charges came in. Yes I drive ( rural) so its easy to keep bags in the boot for the supermarket shop, but Ive been caught out and bought on impulse and have just carried the items in my arms - I seriously have walked down the high street with a pair of jeans or a jacket, pair of shoes under my arm

Our "posher" women's wear shops ask if you need a bag and will wrap in tissue paper if you say no

Here in NI we get charged a levy on any bag bought of 25p which goes to DAERA

I prefer the linen and hessian bags from Lidl now my original bags are wearing out

Just to add about the fruit and veg wrapped in plastic? Our Tesco has a recycling point ( as do Lidl ) for soft plastics. Means you pay, then move away from the till, remove the plastic and stick in for recycling on your way out ( our council doesnt except it )

I get most of my shopping delivered so bags are not on my radar. I have net bags and cloth bags but I never remember them unless I walk into town.

It’s enough to remember my work phone, personal phone, lanyard, keys and work in the morning let alone a bag just in case.

My plastic bags are used for storage of various things.
All the more robust bags are for swimming kit, Christmas decs, charity shop donations etc.

In Ireland and if you’re stuck you can ask for a cardboard box but I’d agree to get used to having a bag in the car/ your bag

Of course. I take a bag with me for all shopping. Clothes, food, etc