Sainsbury's doubles cost of plastic bags to 20p
Outrage as Sainsbury’s doubles cost of plastic bags to 20p in move dubbed ‘daylight robbery’
- Sainsbury’s axed single-use bags after government brought in 5p charge in 2015
- A 30p drawstring bag was added in September and now 20p plastic bag charge
- Shoppers have criticised the 20p charge for ‘profiting from forgetfulness’
- Supermarket has pledged to halve plastic packaging by 2025 with refillables
Shoppers have been left furious as Sainsbury’s has doubled the cost of its plastic bags to 20p in a move dubbed ‘day light robbery’ and ‘profiting from forgetfulness’.
The supermarket’s bosses have said it is part of a strategy to reduce the stores plastic footprint by ‘encouraging customers to develop a re-use mindset’.
There is an incentive to cut plastic use by more than 50 per cent in five years, with the profits going to good causes, Sainsbury’s claimed.
Sainsbury’s has doubled the price of its plastic carrier bags to 20p in a move dubbed ‘daylight robbery’ by shoppers
But the change, which was introduced on November 21, has sparked outrage with shoppers who have suggested the supermarket executive saw Morrisons ‘get away with it and decided they wanted a bit of that action too!’
One person wrote on Twitter: ‘I get ‘saving the planet’. So offer a paper bag alternatively at 10p, stop profiteering from my forgetfulness!’
Another added: ‘You’re right, you will cut Sainsbury’s plastic consumption as I wont be shopping there anymore.’
The hike in price is part of a strategy ‘encouraging customers to develop a re-use mindset’, according to the supermarkets executives. They axed their single use carrier bags after the government introduced a 5p charge in 2015 and replaced them with 10p ‘bags for life’ (pictured)
Sainsbury’s told The Sun: ‘We think 20p is fair. We’re really hoping it will help reduce our plastic usage.’
In September the supermarket giant removed plastic bags from its bakery, fruit and veg aisles and introduced a 30p drawstring carrier.
The supermarket axed their single-use carrier bags after the government introduced a 5p charge in 2015 and replaced them with 5p and 10p ‘bags for life’.
Sainsbury’s has since pledged to halve plastic packaging by 2025 by introducing refillable bottles or cartons for milk, pasta and cereal.
Trays made from PVC and polystyrene, which are difficult to recycle, will be replaced with recyclable alternatives.
Meanwhile Morrisons increased its bags for life from 10p to 15p in January, to 20p in April and now 30p.
Morrisons has trialled string bags across four stores for fruit and vegetable totes to replace plastic bags.
ASDA hiked the price of its carrier bags from 9p to 15p but Tesco has kept its bags at 10p.
Plastic trays for asparagus, sweetcorn and carrots will all be removed from stores, as well as plastic lids on pots of cream. It is one of a number of moves by the supermarket to reduce its environmental impact (file image)
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