Paying for carrier bags.

Actually I do object to 'forking out 5p'. The fact that I can afford it is not the point. Anyone else feel the same?

I'm not sure how biodegradable the biodegradeable bags actually are or how much environmental damage is done manufacturing them. Surely anything that cuts down the number of plastic bags produced is a good thing? I rarely use them now but have a selection of cotton and hessian bags at home.

Here's the up to date info on biodegradable bags and charging :

Super biodegradable bags
There are no exemptions for biodegradable bags at present. However, the government is considering an exemption to encourage development of a new, genuinely biodegradable, more environmentally friendly bag. This would be introduced as an amendment at a later date.
Defra has commissioned a review of existing industry standards for biodegradability of lightweight plastics. It will review whether there are standards that could be used to introduce an exemption from the charge and, if so, how the exemption would be carried out. Defra has to submit the report to Parliament by 5 October 2015.

Because that is the legislation the government has chosen.

It seems that carrier bag use is down by 80% in the areas which have already started charging.
www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/apr/17/scotland-plastic-bag-usage-falls-after-5p-charge-introduced

Do you (anyone who objects) really have to fork out 5p so often that it is a major problem for you?

Wellll......I take your point, FarNorth but I find it infuriating if I buy books in WHSmith, sometimes 3 or 4, so quite heavy, and I am asked if I want to pay for a carrier bag. I think if I am patronising their shop to that extent I should at least be given a carrier bag. Let them change to biodegradeable ones, why not?

PS Some of you ladies have made magnificent bags.

Would have been more impressed if the onus had been on shops to provide eco friendly carriers rather than keep using the same old polythene ones but charging us for them. NOTE I have no problem with bringing my own bags for food shopping but really resent having to pay extra when I've bought clothes, underwear, shoes, china etc

Carrier bags don't materialise out of thin air into shops.
Shops have to pay for them in the first place and, until now, have had the choice of whether to charge the customer for them, or not. Lidl has always charged for its bags.
So now the shops will have to charge for something which has cost them money to provide. Why shouldn't they keep that money if they want to?

In Scotland there's no checking whether or not shops have passed on the money they charge for carriers

HildaJ and Stansgran GNs supreme bag ladies! They are really good!

I was thinking about it. I wouldn't know where to start though. I suppose it would be easy enough if I really thought it through.
I'm sure DD could point me in the right direction, she sells loads of stuff on ebay etc.

HildaJ and Stansgran I do love your bags, especially the colour of HildaJ's*. Both of you could easily make some dosh on the side.

In case you're not aware, the stores don't keep the money from carrier bag sales - at least in Wales they don't. All bag sales have to be accounted for and the money given to a chosen charity. For the 1st 3 years of the bag charge here, Tesco stores gave the proceeds to the RSPB Wales. Last year it changed to the Welsh Food Banks which our local store supports in a big way.

The only exemption is for medication from the chemists if it warrants a carrier bag.

I believe there is no charge for paper carrier bags e.g. McDonalds.

I have taken my own bags for shopping throughout my adult life. I also made some lightweight drawstring bags from voile remnants (Ebay), to use for loose fruit and veg.

Then the shop should charge 5p less for the expensive item!

If I'm spending £XX on a new dress/coat/skirt I can't say I'd begrudge 5p for a bag to protect it.

Surely clothes will have to be put in a free bag in the store, or is that charged for as well?Bit of a cheek.You can't be expected to put lovely new dress etc pushed in to a bag with other shopping.

Problem comes with things ie nail varnish, creams, etc that could be messy, I always carry tiny fold up Bag but you can't throw everything in together unless you want horrid mess.

Our local coop charged for long time always ask for small one for meat, fish etc.

It does seem unfair if buying expensive items to have to pay for bag, difficult one.

When I was a teenager my gran made me a similar crochet bag. She made it out of a cotton yarn and it was very strong.

Word of caution about biodegradable carrier bags. Don't use them to cover goods stored in the loft. They disintegrate into thousands of pieces!

Aaaagh

One's upside down.

hildajenniJ and Stansgran, you are both very creative and I love your bags!

https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/201508/medium-84161-image.jpg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/201508/medium-426003-image.jpg

When I've finished a quilt I use the leftovers to make a bag

Brilliant! Well done hilda. I have several cloth bags that I've collected over the years and usually have a couple folded in my handbag.

I just used double knitting wool anno. Acrylic yarn that I had left over from another project. It is quite strong though.

My nearest town is in Wales and this has been the rule for a very long time. I keep 3 string bags with me. But I have occasionally bought a bag, for items of clothing etc.