5p for a plastic bag?

Customers are unhappy after the Government introduced the single use carrier bag charge on October 5th 2015 and are avoiding to pay 5p for bags by bringing suitcases and shoppers to stores.

Many customers are walking out of stores with multiple items in their hands. The charge is set in businesses and supermarkets with over 250 employees to promote the re-use of old carrier bags, reduce waste and reduce more risks to the environment.

David Andrews, 50, Sales Assistant, Sainsbury’s said “I argued with one customer who didn’t want to pay for bags and decided he would walk out with several bags that totalled to about 20p and a basket which isn’t much. One customer came in with a suitcase.”

The LDSS Team for Wembley/Harrow said ‘We have had no reports from any shops regarding the thefts of trolleys or baskets which is good.’

Supermarkets like Sainsbury’s and Tesco have taken the bags for life off the self checkouts making customers now show proof of purchase with their receipts for a bag.

Javan Brown, 20, Croydon said “I’m a student and I’m on a tight budget as it is, I know it is only 5p but it’s the fact that I’m being charged for something that’s a necessity. Last time I went Tesco’s I walked out with a whole chicken, pasta and a few other items all in my hand.”

The Government expects the charge to decrease the amount of money spent on cleaning up litter and reducing the amount of plastic bags used by 80% within the next few years.

Billy Toland, 27, Manager, Wallis Marble Arch said “I think its good to try and save the environment and I’ve dealt with some customers who refuse and end up stuffing their items into their bags and some are willing to pay the charge and don’t see a problem with it. I pay the charge.”

Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland have the charge with England being the last country in the UK to make it a law.