Letter: Carrier bag charge is of value
The 5p charge on carrier bags in Wales has resulted in a 96 per cent reduction in their use. Why can’t we do that in England?
It’s a small price to pay to avoid the pollution of our countryside and seas and the dreadful effect they have been proven to have on wildlife and fish.
There is also the effect on the human food chain, which should be taken into consideration.
Successive governments should be ashamed that only the Welsh have the guts to put a charge on the use of these bags.
Of course people who are too lazy to remember to take their own bags shopping are the real culprits.
Ron Jones
Oswestry
Comments for: "Letter: Carrier bag charge is of value"
Andrew finch
I do not think it is because they are lazy , possibly forget or do not wish to.
My own view stores such as supermarkets make enough from the punter now in wales they are making money from carrier bags rather hypocritical don't you think?.
I would also jury is out regards the use on a weekly basis of the same bags for food items , seeing some bags and the filthy state of them that some punters use i am surprised they have not come down with food poisoning
Jamie
Andrew, the shops do not profit from the 5p charge. That money goes to charity and has been well received so far.
I wash my food before eating it and would worry more about what happened to it before it went in my bag!
Andrew finch
understand the wash argument , however the health and hygiene experts have expressed concern at the reuse of some bags .
Jamie
I hadn't heard that, but thanks for the information. I assume they are just concerned that people will use dirty bags and not wash the food. I suppose it is legitimate to point these things out, even if "common sense" would suggest it anyway.
Andrew finch
"NOT" all are giving the money to charity .
Jamie
I'm sure you're right, although I suspect the majority do, which would still be a good thing. There are people who will abuse any system if they think they can get away with it.
I have encountered at least one takeaway which still gives them away for free. I think they may be afraid of upsetting people or putting them off by charging. If I was dealing with people late at night after they left the pub I might think twice too!
Mr T
Andrew I think Ron forgot to mention that shops in Wales charge for all bags, plastic or paper now and that the money used should be given to a charity not into the shops profits. I have shopped several times over the border and not purchased a bag and i feel like a criminal walking out with food and clothes under my arm with a bag but i am safe knowing i have paid for my shopping.
R Suppards
Are they using this income to fund their free prescriptions? Hooray for the day that Scotland and Wales become politically and financially independent, and stop bleeding vast amounts of cash off Westminster. That'll teach 'em the price of a pint (or bag).
Martin
You are a bit unpleasant.
A Gordon
Free prescription's and a scientifically informed environmental policy which invests in the safety of our and our families futures, instead of securing the coffers of already overfed and over-egoed English middle to upper class? Joy the day that the devolved Government kicks in, indeed!
Charging for carrier bags benefits charities and individuals in the long-term. Wish it was the way everywhere.
Andy
Gordon,
if you love it so much why dont you give us English our oh so filthy handouts back and try running your country on the revenues it generates itself?
No? Thought not.
Tyrone Shoelaces
A couple of options from my experience living in the US.
A few cities have banned the distribution of single use plastic bags - shopper seem to be managing OK.
Whole Foods (a supermarket chain) give you 10 cents off your shopping if you re-use one of their paper bags or a re-useable shopping bags. They only have paper bags, no plastic. Might be tricky in the rain but having your groceries on the pavement might encourage you to bring a re-useable bag.
A high % of supermarkets have bins for collecting used plastic bags for recycling.
MartinJ
Have been going on holiday to France on holiday for the last few years and the supermarkets there don't provide bags, you have to take your own.
Coercri
I work in a local petrol station, and amount of people who want a carrier for 2 or 3 items to walk 10 yards to the car on the forecourt is mind boggling
I forget to take my reusable bags whenever I go shopping and I should be penalized for this by having to pay for them.
Roll on charging for carriers (as long as the shops don't benefit from this, that is OK by me.
Simon Parton
On a recent visit to family in Cardiff I noticed that there has been no reduction at all in the amount of discarded carrier bags along the streets.
If the 5p charge was intended to reduce this unsightly phenomenon then it has failed.
GC
On a recent visit to a store in Llandudno I purchased a considerable number of clothing items, after completing the transaction, Due to this policy with bags I was left to carry my new items from the store, in much the same fashion as one would from a charity shop, or jumble sale.
I in principle have nothing against reusable bags, but I do when one makes major purchased the items should be suitably packaged for transporting home, to ensure the safety of the purchases and not least good customer care.
I do in fact reuse all the bags I get in preference to buying purpose made bin bags, so Wales I will in future restrict my purchases to stores in England.