News: Marks and Spencer food hall plastic bag charges - opposition to charges grows

Britannist · 07-05-2008, 08:21 AM

Opposition is growing to the Labour Government-promoted plastic bag charge being introduced at some shops. Yesterday (6.5.2008) Marks and Spencer started charging 5 pence for plastic bags in its food hall. Steve Allen’s programme on LBC FM (London independent news radio) said on 7.5.2008 reported there had been arguments at some supermarket check-outs when customers – some having spent a large amount - were told to pay 5 pence if they wanted a plastic bag.

The Labour Government foolishly thinks that pressurising supermarkets into charging for plastic bags will reduce usage of plastic bags. However, many people use the plastic bags as bin-liners and are now going out to purchase plastic bin-liners rather than pay supermarket charges for plastic bags.

Plastic bags are made from a by-product at petrol refineries and the by-product will go to waste if it is not used to produce the bags.

David Reynold of Redbourn in Hertfordshire, wrote in the Daily Telegraph of 1.3.2008 (letters page) “When Marks and Spencer start charging for its plastic bags (report 28.2.2008) I will take along a supply of down-market bags, and Marks and Spencer will lose the free advertising it now enjoys.”

Mike Mendoza, presenter, said on Talksport radio at 1.36 am on 6.5.2008 “I won’t go to Marks and Spencer until the plastic bag charge in its food section ends. Why should I pay Marks and Spencer for a plastic bag to advertise Marks and Spencer? People should take another bag. I’ve handed my Marks and Spencer card back.”

Johnny Ball, the former television presenter, said on LBC 1152 AM (independent news radio in London) at 4.02 am on 6.5.2008 “This plastic bag charge is ridiculous – all that money comes from consumers who cannot all afford it. This is the problem of the irrationality of chasing green issues too far.”

Nick Ferrari, presenter, said on LBC FM (independent news radio in London) at 9.07 am on 6.5.2007 “The boycott starts now. Gone are the days when I’ll do a big shop there (at Marks and Spencer). I’ll still do a small shop there - I’ll buy small items but I’m not walking in there with a plastic bag from another supermarket like a sad person. They are going to charge us for the privilege of using one of their bags – one of those flimsy things which doesn’t last seconds. The charging is ludicrous, crazy, barmy, nuts.”

The Daily Telegraph reported on 3.5.2008 “A plastic bag tax introduced in the Irish Republic in 2002, reduced the number of bags per head from 328 to 21 a year but that figure has started to climb and sales of plastic bin liners and paper bags have grown - sales of plastic bags have since grown fourfold.”

mkpdavies · 07-05-2008, 08:49 AM

I wouldn't mind if they gave us some other bag in its place. Fine by me, I'll just use other shops that make shopping convienient for me. I need bags for my cats anyway.

Britannist · 07-05-2008, 09:08 AM

I use supermarket plastic bags as bin liners and, since I will not pay for plastic bags in supermarkets, I will have to buy rolls of plastic bin liners from other shops. Charging for plastic bags in supermarkets will not cut usage of them overall in the long-term.

Someone rightly pointed out on the radio the other day that supermarkets used to have a whole area near the check-out where boxes were kept (used packaging boxes). Customers could put their purchases in these boxes and then carry the boxes home or to their car.

I haven't seen a supermarket with a used packaging box section for many years.

mkpdavies · 07-05-2008, 10:36 AM

They probably recycle them (using loads of energy and doing more damage to the environment than good).

I remember big old stacks of old boxes at Tescos. I wouldn't mind going back to that system. but I would still need some bags.

Eurosceptic Atlanticist · 07-05-2008, 10:54 AM

I normally just use those re-usable bags now (approx. 40p each). They hold a lot more things and are a lot stronger, which makes it easier to walk my shopping home.

Britannist · 07-05-2008, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mkpdavies

They probably recycle them (using loads of energy and doing more damage to the environment than good). I remember big old stacks of old boxes at Tescos. I wouldn't mind going back to that system. but I would still need some bags.

I agree with what you write, Matthew. I still need plastic bags - but would welcome supermarkets starting to leave out old boxes for customers again.

Britannist · 07-05-2008, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eurosceptic Atlanticist

I normally just use those re-usable bags now (approx. 40p each). They hold a lot more things and are a lot stronger, which makes it easier to walk my shopping home.

I may start using them too if the supermarkets I use start charging for plastic bags - although I will still have to buy plastic bin liners elsewhere to replace the supermarket bags which I presently use as bin liners.

I am against this Labour Government-backed pressure on supermarkets to charge for plastic bags because:

1. The EU is behind it all as are the global warming alarmists
2. I don't believe the Government should be pressuring supermarkets over this
3. Charging for plastic bags does not save plastic - people will have to buy plastic bin liners if they don't pay for supermarket bags
4. The problem is not plastic bags - it is those who throw the plastic bags in the street
5. The petrochemical by-product used to make plastic bags will go to waste if plastic bags are not made from it
6. I resent spending money in a supermarket and then being told I have to pay for a plastic bag - a plastic bag which actually advertises that supermarket

mkpdavies · 07-05-2008, 11:16 AM

I wonder how much extra fuel people will burn, carrying around a wedge of bags in their cars all the time.

Baron von Lotsov · 10-05-2008, 11:49 PM

I have kicked up such a stink in our greengrocers about this. We had a lovely elderly couple run it at one time from Devon and they were such nice and polite people but the husband had to sell because he had health problems. They would never give me any of this bag nonsense. I had hoped the shop would not become another charity shop and indeed the new people kept it as fruit and veg. Unfortunately the new people are part of the local green propaganda network which comes under the guise of Transition Towns. They are a bunch of fruitcakes and the best thing to do is explain it all to them in front of their customers and the people they employ.

I have had it up to my neck with plastic bag politics. the best I can get out of them is a second-hand bag but I have refused on several occasions, e.g. Tescos bags. I will never use a Tescos bag, it is against my religion to advertise these crooks. Next up was an Oxfam bag, same deal. I have also given them on the spot lectures on the rip off of organic food and so on. They are learning bit by bit. Unfortunately they currently hold an absolute monopoly in the independent fruit and veg shops in the town, being only one of them. OK there is a fascist health food shop selling pharmaceutical chemicals and unhealthy food at rip off prices but we are still hanging on and so far it is still possible to survive without having to enter a supermarket. I came very close to boycotting it though and the main issue was plastic bags. Their paper ones have left my vegetables all over the pavement. They know their propaganda has taken its toll on my patients so they have recently been extra polite.

tara · 11-05-2008, 12:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Britannist

Yesterday (6.5.2008) Marks and Spencer started charging 5 pence for plastic bags in its food hall. Steve Allen’s programme on LBC FM (London independent news radio) said on 7.5.2008 reported there had been arguments at some supermarket check-outs when customers – some having spent a large amount - were told to pay 5 pence if they wanted a plastic bag.

I'm going to go to Marks & Sparks Monday lunch time when it's busy and load up a trolley full of food, load it all onto the checkout and refuse to pay 5p for each bag then walk out. It will probably take a member of staff about an hour to put it all back on the shelves, a lot more than it would have cost to give me free plastic bags. I think everyone should do this.

07-05-2008, 08:21 AM	#1 (permalink)
Britannist Uber Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: London Posts: 22,380	Marks and Spencer food hall plastic bag charges - opposition to charges grows Opposition is growing to the Labour Government-promoted plastic bag charge being introduced at some shops. Yesterday (6.5.2008) Marks and Spencer started charging 5 pence for plastic bags in its food hall. Steve Allen’s programme on LBC FM (London independent news radio) said on 7.5.2008 reported there had been arguments at some supermarket check-outs when customers – some having spent a large amount - were told to pay 5 pence if they wanted a plastic bag. The Labour Government foolishly thinks that pressurising supermarkets into charging for plastic bags will reduce usage of plastic bags. However, many people use the plastic bags as bin-liners and are now going out to purchase plastic bin-liners rather than pay supermarket charges for plastic bags. Plastic bags are made from a by-product at petrol refineries and the by-product will go to waste if it is not used to produce the bags. David Reynold of Redbourn in Hertfordshire, wrote in the Daily Telegraph of 1.3.2008 (letters page) “When Marks and Spencer start charging for its plastic bags (report 28.2.2008) I will take along a supply of down-market bags, and Marks and Spencer will lose the free advertising it now enjoys.” Mike Mendoza, presenter, said on Talksport radio at 1.36 am on 6.5.2008 “I won’t go to Marks and Spencer until the plastic bag charge in its food section ends. Why should I pay Marks and Spencer for a plastic bag to advertise Marks and Spencer? People should take another bag. I’ve handed my Marks and Spencer card back.” Johnny Ball, the former television presenter, said on LBC 1152 AM (independent news radio in London) at 4.02 am on 6.5.2008 “This plastic bag charge is ridiculous – all that money comes from consumers who cannot all afford it. This is the problem of the irrationality of chasing green issues too far.” Nick Ferrari, presenter, said on LBC FM (independent news radio in London) at 9.07 am on 6.5.2007 “The boycott starts now. Gone are the days when I’ll do a big shop there (at Marks and Spencer). I’ll still do a small shop there - I’ll buy small items but I’m not walking in there with a plastic bag from another supermarket like a sad person. They are going to charge us for the privilege of using one of their bags – one of those flimsy things which doesn’t last seconds. The charging is ludicrous, crazy, barmy, nuts.” The Daily Telegraph reported on 3.5.2008 “A plastic bag tax introduced in the Irish Republic in 2002, reduced the number of bags per head from 328 to 21 a year but that figure has started to climb and sales of plastic bin liners and paper bags have grown - sales of plastic bags have since grown fourfold.” Last edited by Britannist; 07-05-2008 at 08:26 AM.

07-05-2008, 08:49 AM	#2 (permalink)
mkpdavies Uber Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Woking Posts: 30,362	I wouldn't mind if they gave us some other bag in its place. Fine by me, I'll just use other shops that make shopping convienient for me. I need bags for my cats anyway. __________________ http://brits4ronpaul.blogspot.com/ http://wokinglibertarians.blogspot.com/ http://lpuk.org My ignore list Labour, Blue Labour, Lib Dems

07-05-2008, 09:08 AM	#3 (permalink)
Britannist Uber Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: London Posts: 22,380	Supermarket plastic bags, bin liners, shops, check-outs, car, packaging I use supermarket plastic bags as bin liners and, since I will not pay for plastic bags in supermarkets, I will have to buy rolls of plastic bin liners from other shops. Charging for plastic bags in supermarkets will not cut usage of them overall in the long-term. Someone rightly pointed out on the radio the other day that supermarkets used to have a whole area near the check-out where boxes were kept (used packaging boxes). Customers could put their purchases in these boxes and then carry the boxes home or to their car. I haven't seen a supermarket with a used packaging box section for many years.

07-05-2008, 10:36 AM	#4 (permalink)
mkpdavies Uber Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Woking Posts: 30,362	They probably recycle them (using loads of energy and doing more damage to the environment than good). I remember big old stacks of old boxes at Tescos. I wouldn't mind going back to that system. but I would still need some bags. __________________ http://brits4ronpaul.blogspot.com/ http://wokinglibertarians.blogspot.com/ http://lpuk.org My ignore list Labour, Blue Labour, Lib Dems

07-05-2008, 10:54 AM	#5 (permalink)
Eurosceptic Atlanticist Uber Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: The West Country Posts: 5,361 Party: Libertarian Party	I normally just use those re-usable bags now (approx. 40p each). They hold a lot more things and are a lot stronger, which makes it easier to walk my shopping home. __________________ Ubuntu User \| Get Ubuntu! \| Ubuntu Social Group \| Ubuntu Forum Firefox User \| Get Firefox! \| Firefox Social Group \| Firefox Forum NO2ID Supporter \| Join NO2ID! \| NO2ID Group \| NO2ID Forum

07-05-2008, 11:16 AM	#8 (permalink)
mkpdavies Uber Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Woking Posts: 30,362	I wonder how much extra fuel people will burn, carrying around a wedge of bags in their cars all the time. __________________ http://brits4ronpaul.blogspot.com/ http://wokinglibertarians.blogspot.com/ http://lpuk.org My ignore list Labour, Blue Labour, Lib Dems

10-05-2008, 11:49 PM	#9 (permalink)
Baron von Lotsov Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 718	I have kicked up such a stink in our greengrocers about this. We had a lovely elderly couple run it at one time from Devon and they were such nice and polite people but the husband had to sell because he had health problems. They would never give me any of this bag nonsense. I had hoped the shop would not become another charity shop and indeed the new people kept it as fruit and veg. Unfortunately the new people are part of the local green propaganda network which comes under the guise of Transition Towns. They are a bunch of fruitcakes and the best thing to do is explain it all to them in front of their customers and the people they employ. I have had it up to my neck with plastic bag politics. the best I can get out of them is a second-hand bag but I have refused on several occasions, e.g. Tescos bags. I will never use a Tescos bag, it is against my religion to advertise these crooks. Next up was an Oxfam bag, same deal. I have also given them on the spot lectures on the rip off of organic food and so on. They are learning bit by bit. Unfortunately they currently hold an absolute monopoly in the independent fruit and veg shops in the town, being only one of them. OK there is a fascist health food shop selling pharmaceutical chemicals and unhealthy food at rip off prices but we are still hanging on and so far it is still possible to survive without having to enter a supermarket. I came very close to boycotting it though and the main issue was plastic bags. Their paper ones have left my vegetables all over the pavement. They know their propaganda has taken its toll on my patients so they have recently been extra polite. __________________ "A government big enough to supply you with everything you need, is a government big enough to take away everything that you have..."

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