to think retailers have some responsibity?

I was aware that we had to pay for carrier bags if buying food but I had no idea that we had to buy the carrier bag if buying clothes. I may well have have left the items on the counter as a matter of principle and ordered on line.

I volunteer in a charity shop and an increasing number of people have fold away bags that they bring out for their purchases. It's all to do with the environment. Perhaps we should bring back paper bags. Holland and Barrett use paper carriers.

Jane10 Thats strange indeed I bought a cashmere jumper at M&S last week and it was packed in a bag for me and I'm certain I wasn't charged (must find receipt & check) what would happen do they expect you to walk out of the shop holding two new jumpers unwrapped ?

And if you did walk out with them unwrapped, would the store detectives haul you back?

This only came into force today apparently. I have to say that I did walk out and leave the jumpers on the counter. I suppose I could have asked for them to be left on their hangers and just walked out carrying them. Good opportunity for shop lifters ......................? Could just say they didn't want to buy a bag?
What about when buying underwear? Just stuff it all in my handbag? Lovely customer service! Its no use. I`m still simmering!
Off to order online!

I bought 4 bras online for my mum from M&S. The box was 3' x 2'

It's been the norm in Wales for quite a long time.
If I go to England the clothes are usually still put in a bag in M&S although the food isn't.
We just have to remember to take a nice clean bag with us (or buy online).
Stores are supposed to give the 5p for one-use bags to charity, but I wonder if all of them do.

wales.gov.uk/topics/environmentcountryside/epq/waste_recycling/substance/carrierbags/?lang=en

I've never heard of this in M & S - I think I would check that one with HQ! I certainly would not buy clothes from any store who did not put them in a bag after all they have included packaging in their costings. I accept it with food and usually have a jute bag or fold up bag with me as I accept the argument re the environment and wasteage etc etc. What I wont do is pay postage for items from stores which are wholly on line as again this has all been included in their financial modelling. If I need to order from a store I try to have it delivered to a local branch or order only when they have a free p & p offer.

Having to pay for carrier bags is now the case in Scotland as from today.

They're shooting themselves in the foot by doing that as, when you walk around with a bag after you've purchased something it's free advertising for the shop.

The firm will be fined for non-compliance if they give away bags and don't charge for them, if it is the same legislation as it is in Wales

www.carrierbagchargewales.gov.uk/retailers/faq/enforcement/?lang=en
As a customer, I am supposed to report the nice lady in the wool shop who 'gave' me a bag to put all my purchased balls of yarn into. Instead I gave her the 5p to put in a charity box.

The concept is good but sometimes the practice can tend to the ridiculous.

It' something that had not occurred to me.
I would want a clean bag for putting clothes etc. As others say it shows you have not stolen it.

Food is either packeted tinned or washable.

This is very petty-minded, but if we have to pay for the bag that clothes are put in then we could ask for the bag to be turned inside out so there's no free advertising!

I actually collect bags; I find some of them so lovely I can't bear to throw them away.In fact I have a framed Selectadisc bag as it was an iconic record shop in Nottingham and it's passing was much lamented by the locals .

It's only 5p.

At least M&S bags are easy to fold up and keep for future use.

I was in M and S this morning and the assistant told me it also applies to paper bags. I bought two shirts but fortunately had a clean bag with me.

Prescription items in chemists are exempt, apparently, but not other purchases.

The new law came into effect this morning. All retailers who offer plastic carrier bags now have to charge for them. Crow I didn't realise that they also have to charge for paper bags, that seems a bit much. I put paper in the compost bin and it decomposes nicely.
I remember the time when my mother sent me shopping and I had to take her shopping bag with me. I started shopping for her age 7 after my youngest sister was born. Mum's bag was nearly as big as me!

How annoying! What if you buy say a couple of wine glasses in John Lewis, and they wrap them up in 3 or 4 bags each to protect them from damage. Do you get charged for each individual bag or box?

If I was buying a new dress or sweater I'd certainly expect it to be at least wrapped in tissue paper, before shoving it in my shopping bag.

Funny how everyone's 'green' proclivities go out of the window when personal convenience is threatened!

How is it "ungreen" to take a carrier bag, recycle it by using it to line a wastepaper bin multiple times and ultimately use it to take clothes or books to the charity shop - as a for instance?

Quite, Soutra. I always take loads of bags with me to the supermarket if I'm going for a planned shop, and I always have a couple of nylon fold-up bags in my handbag for small impulse purchases.

But I think it's taking it a bit far to charge for wrapping clothing, particularly in paper or card carriers that are easily recycled.

Not everyone does that, Soutra and jane.

(As evidenced by the many trees and hedgerows you see decorated with flimsy supermarket bags these days.)