5p Carrier Bag Charge: All You Need To Know About The New Fee
Can I ask those who live outside the UK...
Do you have to pay for basic plastic bags when you go shopping at your main supermarkets ?
They are bringing in a charges of 5 p a bag this week in the UK.
I am surprised that this is not being questioned more ?
I think its well wrong ! costing Far too much..per bag.
1 or 2 p is all they should charge at most. IMO..as these are only the very basic type bags...not quality ones..
and most shoppers will use 5 to 10 or more each average weekly shop I would think.
Plus the bags now disintergrate after a few months..which if one keeps and say stores something with in a bag.. you get loads of broken up pieces.. and I think this is very dangerous..
Especially if one has young Children in the house as if you get some of it in your eye... it can be very irritating...and hard to get out...speaking from experience... :(
Start remembering your "bags for life" - because from next week you'll have to cough up 5p for each single-use plastic bag.
(https://s2.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/vg1q9UZ.L9NlIpzRq2myVA--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3NfbGVnbztxPTg1O3c9NjMw/http://media.zenfs.com/en-GB/homerun/newsroom.news.yahoo.com.uk/408a327d24072f1b052ebb0a35bc86f0)
The charge is being introduced by major retailers - including all supermarkets - across the UK on Monday, October 5, in a bid to reduce litter and protect wildlife.
More than 7 billion of the bags are handed out each year.
But the Government wants to slash that figure by 80% by getting more people to use the longer-lasting "bags for life."
They think it will save £60 million per year in litter clean-up costs, and generate £730 million for good causes.
Here's what you need to know about the new fee:
1. What's happening?
The Government has introduced a law requiring all supermarkets and large stores to charge a minimum of 5p for every single-use plastic carrier bag they hand out in a bid to reduce their use and the litter they cause.
2. When is the charge being brought in?
The charge comes into effect in England on October 5.
3. Does it affect all retailers?
No. The charge applies to retailers with 250 or more full-time equivalent employees, determined by the size of the company rather than the individual branch. Smaller businesses can charge if they wish, and the Association of Convenience Stores says it is encouraging members to introduce their own voluntary charging schemes wherever practical.
4. Are there any exemptions to the charge?
Yes. There will not be a charge for paper bags or bags from shops in airports or on trains, aircraft or ships. Customers will not need to pay if the bag only contains certain items such as unwrapped food, raw meat and fish where there is a food safety risk, prescription medicines, uncovered blades, seeds, bulbs and flowers or live fish.
5. What about supermarket home deliveries?
Retailers must charge for plastic bags used for deliveries and online sales. Choose the bagless delivery option if one is available to avoid the charge.
Tesco has alerted its customers that unless you choose bagless delivery there will be a 40p flat charge for home shopping. Sainsbury's has also introduced a bagless delivery service, and those who do not select it will also be charged 40p per delivery.
6. What can consumers do if they do not want to pay the charge?
Shoppers can avoid the charge by using their own bags or containers. Typically, stores charge once for a "bag for life" and replace them for free when they wear out.
7. Why is it being brought in?
The number of single-use carrier bags handed out by supermarkets in England rose for the fifth year in a row in 2014 to 7.6 billion, the equivalent of 140 bags per person. Campaigners warn they take 1,000 years to break down, are a highly visible type of litter, use resources and can be extremely damaging to marine wildlife.
8. Will it work?
Similar schemes in other parts of the UK have had a significant impact. The scheme in Wales - the first to come in - saw a 79% reduction in plastic bags being handed out in the first three years, while Northern Ireland and Scotland have also seen reductions since they brought in charges.
The Government expects to see a reduction of up to 80% in the use of single-use carrier bags in supermarkets, and 50% on the high street in England, as well as £60 million saved in litter clean-up costs and £730 million generated for good causes.
But there are concerns that the exclusion of smaller retailers and paper bags means it will not be as successful as other schemes.
https://uk.news.yahoo.com/5p-carrier-bag-charge-know-090212341.html#vRdPyzi
In Portugal we that kind of tax some months ago.
In our case (and it looks like it may be the same in the UK) it doesn't apply to the thinner plastic bags used to hold food, like those small transparent bags they have on supermarkets for people to choose fruit or vegetables and put them on that bag.
What has happened in Portugal is that bigger, stronger bags started appearing and most people used those (that last much longer) to go to the supermarket and, when the supermarket cashier asks "do you want a bag" we just say "no" and use our bags. That's what I do. :)
It maybe that they aim to do this in all Countries or at least most in Europe.
Until they have brought it in on Monday, I wont know for sure what new bags that they will bring in to replace the old type ones.
I am led to believe that they will be a bit bigger and stronger.
But whether or not designed to break up after a month or two, I don't know. It maybe that they replace those and that would not be a bad thing if they do.
I didn't initially mind the idea of bags breaking up.. but they do so in such a way that they break up into very small pieces...and they stick to ones skin if you get it on your hands. Maybe due to static.
Its OK if you always remember to take bags as you intend to go shopping.... but many a time... I am just passing by and may decide to visit and do some shopping unplanned..
that's when I may feel annoyed that they are charging me. esp at 5 p a bag...as I often average 5 to 10 or more bags. Maybe as the bags had actually seemed smaller than they once were when visiting Tesco's.
It will initially be annoying when one walks in a supermarket then realizes they forgot their bags..and is told to pay for them.
At one time in certain shops you could have obtained some extra bags.. but some shops have now put a stop to that and watch them like guard dogs..and do not like one asking. or will just offer you one extra. where as before you could help yourself.
One of three things will happen:
1) You will remember to have some bags with you...
2) You will absorb the extra expense the same way you do any other price increase :P
3) you will shop at the stores that use 'free bags" as the new sales gimmick to get your business
::)
Here in the USA you have all sorts of added charges that most never see or noticed
Car Rental: The now add a charge for a portion of the licence fee.
Car Batteries... you pay a $15.00 core fee for disposal of the old battery whether or not you return the old battery
Tires You pay a disposal fee for the old tires whether or not you turn in your old tires
And other changes like say the can of TUNA you buy...
It used to be you could by FLAKE TUNA or CHUNK TUNA...
well today 'Flake Tuna' Is called "Chunk Light Tuna" and "Chunk Tuna" is called "Solid Tuna"
And they don't fill the cans all the way...
Recently there wqs a Class Action Law Suit against Satr Kist Tuna for exactly this problem. Star Kist denied it BUT did two things 1) They aggreed toa 12 million dollar out of courts settlement and 2) they dumped cans of tuna on the market at 50 cents a can to get rid of the evidence :P
Now then IF you like Tuna you can get in on this law suit... even if you have no proof of purchase in this case as the law suit is already a done deal. You can file a claim (pu your name on the suit) and get $25.00 cash OR $50.00 worth of Tuna The Lawyers are claiming one third of the 12 million as their fee... the rest has to go out to others... Deadline is November so sign up and get Free Fish :P
https://www.tunalawsuit.com/Landing.aspx
Use THIS option...
I DO NOT have a claim number, but I would like to file a claim online.
Pick a can of tuna from the four and send it in
Oddly enough before I heard of this suit I was going to right Chicken of the Sea for the same concern even took pictures of the partial cans LOL
I guess I can write them now and mention "BTW I hear Starkist is getting sued for this same issue" :P
I LIKE free Tuna :P So do my Ferrets
OH BTW this is onlyvalid to US residents
Regarding TESCO...
A few years ago Tesco came to Vegas with "Fresh and Easy" grocery stores... They bought up all the local Rite Aid stores that had just gone out of business
My wife went to work for one... They didn't last long because they were actually fairly high priced compared to our other super markets.. but I checked on them wondering where these guys with that kind of money came from
I traced them back to being a division of Royal Dutch Shell that was quite a surprise actually
So Tesco is Bilderberg Food :P
At first I thought that it was just certain Shops that were charging for bags, but it seems its at least most that sell the type of things you buy food wise that is tinned or packaged.
In one of the main shopping areas where I live...There is a main Tesco's which is the largest food shop used by a majority... and quite a few smaller shops that sell some of the general similar main brands that most large supermarkets sell.
and it seems all of them are doing it too....
So not much chance initially to go elsewhere. ???
Seems there will be little choice if one forgets the bags..
BUT It maybe an opportunity for some Entrepreneurs who may have collected several bags over the last few weeks to cash in and sell old bags to customers at half price. :) if they are in the area.
I wonder what security would do if they were to spot them !
Quote2) You will absorb the extra expense the same way you do any other price increase :P
Yes I am sure all these extra unaware charges are on many things that we do not realize.
It would be interesting if there was a list of things maybe that are sold in some if the main shops...or product or service providers.
I may have considered the Tuna lawsuit, it would have paid for bags maybe for the year .. :)
QuoteHere in the USA you have all sorts of added charges that most never see or noticed.
Car Rental: The now add a charge for a portion of the licence fee.
Car Batteries... you pay a $15.00 core fee for disposal of the old battery whether or not you return the old battery
Tires You pay a disposal fee for the old tires whether or not you turn in your old tires
And other changes like say the can of TUNA you buy...
Yes I suspected or maybe new that Tesco's were connected to Bilderberg They are similar to Wall Marts or Asda in the U.K....but they sell many a certain brand that most all other Supermarkets and many a smaller shop do , some that maybe lower cost..
So even if I went elsewhere many of the brands would be the same...But they do have their own brands as well. and many other supermarkets do...these own brands are even cheaper.
As far as I know most are connected Bilderberg...
I recall we had a past discussion on this and I think you convinced me that we had little choice.. Unless you can advise different .
QuoteRegarding TESCO...
QuoteI traced them back to being a division of Royal Dutch Shell that was quite a surprise actually
So Tesco is Bilderberg Food :P
It's one of the only charges that I agree with.
Plastic pollution is horrendous, and should be minimised.
Some shops have been charging 1-2p for years. Recently it cost me 5p per bag. I didn't care. I'm always throwing away loose change.
The charge didn't really affect my usage, but it did make me ponder the implications more.
I welcome all friendly eco initiatives.
I think all money brought in from the sale of plastic carrier bags should be reinvested in environment clean up.
Quote from: astr0144 on October 04, 2015, 09:58:42 AM
BUT It maybe an opportunity for some Entrepreneurs who may have collected several bags over the last few weeks to cash in and sell old bags to customers at half price. :) if they are in the area.
What has happened in Portugal is that now most people have the plastic version of the old shopping basket we used to use in Portugal, so this corn straw basket (we call them "alcofa", one of the many Arabic words we still use)
(http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r66/armap/Alcofa%20de%20palha%20de%20milho.jpg)
is being replaced by this plastic version.
(http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r66/armap/SUNP0013.jpg)
In most cases they are used as publicity, the one above is from the supermarket chain where we do most of our shopping. They are usually, as the one above, made from 100% recycled plastic and they are very strong, being made in the same way as baskets, with weaved plastic strips.