Supermarket bag charges: 5 things you need to know

[annie]

FROM next Monday Lancashire shoppers will have to pay extra for plastic carrier bags in supermarkets.

Under new Government rules, large retailers must charge at least 5p for plastic bags from October 5, 2015.

The Government say the scheme will help reduce litter and landfill, but critics say certain exemptions under the rules introduce room for confusion at the checkout.

For instance, plastic bags only containing certain items including raw meat and fish are not liable for the 5p levy.

Here is our handy guide to the new rules and how they may affect you while doing your shopping.

Which shops will charge for bags?

Large businesses will need to charge for single-use plastic carrier bags with handles that are 70 microns thick, or less. This applies to retailers who have 250 or more employees. Smaller businesses can also charge on a voluntary basis if they wish

When you won’t be charged for a bag

If the bag is:

Paper.

Is from a shop in an airport, on board a train, aeroplane or ship.

If the bag only contains certain items including:- Unwrapped food.

Raw meat and fish where there is a food safety risk.

Unwrapped food for animal or human consumption e.g. chips or food sold in containers not secure enough to prevent leakage.

Uncovered blades.

Seeds, bulbs and flowers.

Live aquatic creatures in water.

Contains an item considered as sealed packaging for mail order and click-and-collect orders.

Is used to give away free promotional material.

Is used for a service where there’s no sale of goods. e.g. dry cleaning, shoe repairs.

Is a returnable or reusable ‘bag for life’.

N.B. If even one non-exempt item is placed in the bag, cashiers must charge 5p.

What about Biodegradable bags?

There is currently no exemption for biodegradable bags, but the Government is reviewing industry standards for the biodegradability of lightweight plastics to make sure biodegradable bags can be separated during recycling.

What are the benefits of the charging scheme?

The scheme aims to reduce the use of single-use plastic carrier bags, and the litter associated with them.


In 2014, more than 7.6 billion single-use plastic bags were given to customers by major supermarkets in England. That’s equivalent to 140 bags per person, or 61,000 tonnes in total.

The Government expects an 80 per cent reduction in supermarket plastic bag use, a £780 million boost to the UK economy, £60 million savings in litter clean-up costs and carbon savings of £13 million.

How will the proceeds will be used?

Retailers are expected to donate the proceeds of the scheme to good causes, but it is for them to choose what to do, and which causes to support.

Retailers must inform the Government about what they do with the money from the charge, with details published each year.


http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/ne ... d_to_know/

[maureenho]

I mostly take my own bags to supermarkets

[irenee]

Thank you Annie I do love my plastic bags use them to put all my rubbish in like Tony's
soiled nappies before they go in the bin will have to buy them on a roll like he bin
liners.

[Rosalind]

go90 tha22222

[JaneJ]

I've been hoarding mine!

The proles is i have them in my boot but forget to take them in!

[irenee]

Hi, Just received my shopping from Morrisons and they have given me £1.25
off my order for the return of their plastic bags this online shopping gets better.