5p on plastic bags

Why is it that the uk has to mess around, if it's not the people who get hit by un-insured drivers but still end up out of pocket its daft things like the 5p bag charge?

Here in france you dont get plastic bags (except for butchers stuff)
it was put an end to a few years ago,
granted at first we did go and empty the trolly as we paid and then put it all back in the trolly because we'd forgot to bring bags,
But its like the seat belt in the car we now just put it on automatic, "never forget" and this bring your own bag thing is the same,
After a few times of forgetting it becomes the norm to take your own bags.

Why not just stop bags and let it be an end to the matter instead of pussy footing about,

So what is the problem with this? The money will go to charity, NOT into Government coffers, and hopefully fewer bags will end up in landfill sites. Isn't this good news all round?

That reply was to OP by the way

Job done in Ireland and Wales some years back. People think ahead and take bags shopping. Surprised that the coalition are summoning up the cojones to take what will probably be an unpopular decision with many. Feeble attempt to get a bit of greenwash maybe?

I can't see that it will make a huge amount of difference to the amount of plastic bags used, anyway. It's just another form of taxation.
Most people re-use the plastic bags for some other purpose.
Why doesn't the government and/or supermarkets do something about the ridiculous amount of packaging round food instead?
Why not make it illegal to sell packets of four apples encased in a plastic tray?
Why not pass a law saying that ham has to be cut by a person standing behind a counter, and then wrapped in paper, rather than putting 3 slices on a plastic tray and covering it in more plastic?
Ditto meat and cheese.
Why not ban ready meals too, it would save on packaging and force everyone to cook from scratch, much healthier?
#gotoutofbedthewrongside

No janeainsworth on absolutely the right side.

Yes it's the feebleness of it that annoys me. A lead policy at Lib Dem conference? Would be interesting to look in car park at all party conferences to see who really cares about the environment. Jess do you know how Wales made sure the 5ps went in the right direction and not to some off shore tax haven?

Janea - spot on!

Doubt that there will be much money for environmental charities once the cost of collecting it is taken into consideration.

I would agree with bags just not being provided. I have taken my own bags for all shopping throughout my adult life, it just makes sense. I have even made my own drawstring bags for loose fruit and veg, out of voile curtain fabric. [halo emoticon]

Not sure how you can call it a form of taxation when the money raised will go to environment related charities?

I rarely remember to take bags with me when going to Waitrose or Sainsburys but I never forget when visiting M&S for food. I make use of plastic bags and if I do not use them for other food shopping, I will use them to line my kitchen bin. That will be more expense, having to buy bin liners when the bag tax kicks in.

Totally agree with you janeainsworth

No bags in France, except small ones on a roll for fruit and veg, which I use for my little rubbish bin in my kitchen. They last me for one or two days then I put them in the big public bin. I have several 'bags for life' which I put back in the car once I have unpacked them at home, so I never find myself at a supermarket without some.

Ceesnan It's a tax because anyone who needs a plastic bag at the supermarket has no choice about whether to pay it.
Charitable donations are voluntary.

How hard is it to put a lightweight foldable bag on one of the pockets of a handbag?! Animals, sea life and the environment are harmed by plastic bags.

Anyone who can't see what a good idea this is is either completely selfish, or thick.

Reading about this janeainsworth I can't see that the charitable donations are voluntary at all. I'm in favour of a charge but totally agree with you re the excess packaging. I'm in a fortunate position of having local independent shops of good quality so all my fresh produce is merely bagged - paper and brown of course

Charleygirl is it possible you remember at Marks because they charge and the others don't?

All our rubbish is recycled and bin liners unnecessary.

I remember the time when everyone used their own bag, and anyone who went shopping without one was considered as feckless as a meringue who enjoyed walks in the rain.

When did it become a right to have someone else provide it? Why should the supermarket provide carrier bags for the unprepared? Small plastic bags for dairy produce, fair enough, but if you are buying more than you can carry in your arms, surely you have enough prior warning to pick up a bag before you shop?

A folding bag in a pocket or handbag takes up almost no room, and a more substantial one can live in the car boot. I have no car and have to carry home shopping in a bag or backpack, or wheel it in a shopping trolley. If I relied on flimsy plastic bags with knife-edge handles my hands would be cut to pieces, so I keep a light bag with sensible handles in my handbag - it is a no-brainer.

The trouble with fortnightly bin emptying is that rubbish stinks by the time it is collected unless it is tightly bagged.

Ocado take their bags back for recycling. They accept other people's bags too.

I believe one of the reasons is the damage these bags do when blown out to sea, and if you care about wildlife then it makes sense. Allegedly there is an island of plastic refuse in the Pacific larger than Wales, I have seen horrible pictures of birds, turtles etc. all tangled up with plastic bags if this policy goes some way towards eliminating that then I'm all for it. I have got into the habit of carrying my bags with me for quite a while and it probably sounds sanctimonious but sometimes whilst at the counter in Sainsburys I can't help noticing just how many flimsy orange bags some people use when doing what is probably a weekly shop. A bag for life is only 10p and that's exactly what it is because it will always be replaced by the store free of charge.

A friend of mine works at M and S and has to constantly deal with stupid little petty complaints about the charge for their 5p bags, this policy of charging has been in place there for ages and Marks gave away loads of bags for life before they implemented it.

Can anyone explain why it is so hard to take your own bags when shopping ? After all we all pay for them one way or another and then pay even more to put them in landfill.
My favourite bag is one I made from the jeans that were cut off me in hospital when I fell off my bike and broke my leg. Reminds me to keep my eyes on the road !!

Agreed, *tiggypiro". Should we also give up carrying an umbrella and expect the met office to issue them free when needed? Free swimsuits for the hotel pool? Free popcorn at the cinema?