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Woolworths trials plastic bag charging in Bucks

2:12pm Monday 12th May 2008

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WOOLWORTHS stores across Buckinghamshire launched a one month trial charging customers for plastic bags today.

A 3p charge for every carrier bag used has been rolled out in 20 shops in Buckinghamshire and Bedfordshire - including High Wycombe, Beaconsfield and Amersham.

The scheme aims to cut the use of 150,000 plastic bags and raise £10,000 by donating the full 3p to the Woolworths Kids First charity.

Stewart Giles, area manager, said: "We've spoken to our customers and there is genuine concern about the environmental impact of carrier bags given out by large retailers.

"The long term plan is to introduce the scheme nationally, but first we need to test practicalities, systems and how everything works for the customer.

"Shoppers in Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire are forward thinking on issues such as the environment which is why we chose to test the measures in the region.

"We believe the 3p charge will make customers think twice about whether or not they need a bag and, if they do, we are more than happy to provide one while at the same time raising money for charity."

The stores will sell a Longer-Life bag throughout the trial as an alternative.

It will cost 9p which will also go to Woolworths Kids First, which improves playground facilities at primary schools.

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slacker, Flackwell says...
2:36pm Mon 12 May 08

This will not make any difference, at 3p people will still have unnecessary carrier bags but it will not impact on their pocket and the carrier bags will still end up in the bin when they get home.

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Keep it Simple, High Wycombe says...
2:49pm Mon 12 May 08

It's a start! Ban the plastic bag!

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slacker, Flackwell says...
3:08pm Mon 12 May 08

Its not really a start though, its back to where we were in the beginning when we always used to pay for bags. Nobody cared then and they dont now.

I would love to suggest biodegradable corn bags, but this will contribute more to the food problem globally.

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Ivor, says...
3:16pm Mon 12 May 08

With some of the richest towns in the country in South Bucks I’m sure a 3p charge will make no difference in deterring people from taking a bag.

No doubt the chargeable plastic bags will become a status symbol for people to carry around just to show how wealthy they are.

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Lo_Wycombe, Bowerdean Rd says...
4:47pm Mon 12 May 08

thank god the pick n mix bags are paper, otherwise my cola bottles would be all over the high street

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SBJones, Wycombe says...
4:51pm Mon 12 May 08

"Shoppers in Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire are forward thinking on issues such as the environment which is why we chose to test the measures in the region.

as opposed to where exactly, Yorkshire?

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matthewjohn, highwycombe says...
4:59pm Mon 12 May 08

j.h.clark & sons butchers of princes risborough issued all customers with a cloth bag as a xmas present .now if you re use this we give 5p to macmillan nurses. if we give you a plastic one we ask you to give 5p to either macmillan nurses or air ambulance appeal.

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davejones, Beaconsfield says...
5:18pm Mon 12 May 08

At least the money is going to a charity and not used as an additional revenue stream.

Any reason they can't use paper bags instead though?

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Blaze Falconburger, HW says...
6:01pm Mon 12 May 08

Let's hope the store won't mind when you put your products into competitor's bags and walk out with those on display instead of their own!

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Blaze Falconburger, HW says...
6:01pm Mon 12 May 08

Let's hope the store won't mind when you put your products into competitor's bags and walk out with those on display instead of their own!

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Blaze Falconburger, HW says...
6:01pm Mon 12 May 08

Let's hope the store won't mind when you put your products into competitor's bags and walk out with those on display instead of their own!

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smokey, high wycombe says...
6:30pm Mon 12 May 08

I can't see the big deal - shopes always used to charge for carrier bags.

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daisyduck, HW says...
7:38pm Mon 12 May 08

I have been stood in queues behind people who, when reminded that they are going to be charged for a plastic bag, have refused it and put the extra shopping in bags they are already carrying. That has to be a good thing. What has a bigger impact, I think, is the fact that you now get asked if you want a bag, rather than being given one as a matter of course. I usually don't need one, especially for small items, if I already have a bag from another shop. At least we get the opportunity to say no these days.

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Plus ça change..., Wycombag says...
7:40pm Mon 12 May 08

Just ban plaggy bags all at the same time.

More biodegradabags & we should also use our own.

3p nonsense!

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cmilsom, High Wycombe says...
8:33pm Mon 12 May 08

A 3p charge for a plastic bag is nonsense because whats 3p to everyone. A 10p or 20p charge would be more of a impact.

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Wycombe is High on..., High Wycombe, Bucks says...
9:42pm Mon 12 May 08

Many shops are famous fdor different things (Ikea flatpack, etc)

Instead of dollowing in the Govt's footsteps of trousering cash in the name of saving the planet - how about a shop that doesn't give out bags at all.

If they sell well enough already it won't take long for the "green brigade" to flock there more than replacing any lost trade from moaners.

In my case, I would probably still forget to take a bag. Then just pop into your local shop on the way home and buy a Mars Bar. Then you have a bag whether you wanted one or not. Alternatively, spill your overloaded arms into the back of a taxi and increase your carbon footprint that way...

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TalkingSense, High Wycombe says...
10:10pm Mon 12 May 08

I'm with davejones on this one .. why can't paper bags be used? And please don't anyone tell me they are not strong enough! I used to work in Habitat and all we ever used were paper bags! They were well made and very strong. Easily recycled too!

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George - Wycombe, says...
11:48pm Mon 12 May 08

I have stopped shopping where I am expected to pay for plastic bags, I now add Woolworth's to M&S, we are continually being harassed about environmental issues, I recycle most things, I have used my green wheelie bin just twice in two years but I object to these big companies imposing a charge for what I carry my shopping in when all they are doing is deflecting scrutiny from the more damaging practices they themselves are involved with.
I would be better pleased to buy something 'Made in Britain' than from the unregulated sweat shops of China, the carbon footprint transporting Woolworth's cheap shoddy Chinese goods does more harm to the planet than a humble plastic bag.

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Paul M, Jersey says...
12:06am Tue 13 May 08

Mind how they go!!

I thought the idea of charges was to DETER people from using bags, but charging a pathetic 3p per bag won't stop people using bags, all it will do is rake in a few quid, albeit for charity, but it won't DETER bag use!

Try Jersey prices of 10p per bag and see the difference (it only came in last week!) as all your friends and colleagues start moaning about the cost, and off they go to get a reusable bag, at least they are not adding to climate change, but Woolworths are not doing ANYTHING positive, they are just trying to beat M&S bag prices, and using the charity angle to get away with it!!

There are perfectly good potato starch bags available, they are not adding to food shortages, neither are any other bags, that is just a myth, as there are only about 200,000 tonnes of Bioplastic being produced globally, versus global Wheat production of 524 million tonnes per annum, corn is 766 million tonnes per annum, add Bioplastic sources such as tapioca and potatoes and the percentage of Bioplastic in food crops is negligible.

Stanelco PLC make potato starch bioplastics in the UK, Woolworths could use these Bioplastics to offer home compostable bags that are also heavier weight and reusable, like the ones being sold in Spain by their partner Sphere Espana.

http://www.stanelcop
lc.com

http://www.comp-bio.
co.uk

Don't buy bags made from oil even with 'degradable' additives, they add to greenhouse gasses, whereas starch based bags keep greenhouse gasses neutral if composted, and reduce greenhouse gasses if used in waste-to-energy systems.

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Paul M, Jersey says...
12:09am Tue 13 May 08

http://www.stanelcop
lc.com

http://comp-bio.co.u
k/

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not-dave, high wycombe says...
12:36pm Tue 13 May 08

how is a 3p bag a status symbol??

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FH, Amersham says...
1:50pm Wed 14 May 08

And how is Woolies a status symbol?

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Lo_Wycombe, Bowerdean Rd says...
1:46pm Fri 16 May 08

cmilsom wrote:
A 3p charge for a plastic bag is nonsense because whats 3p to everyone. A 10p or 20p charge would be more of a impact.
Why not just get Wycombe’s unemployed people to carry your shopping for you?

They would have to get rid of their cans of strong lager / extinguish their cigarette before doing so.

Every little helps...

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averagenobody, Buckinghamshire says...
10:03pm Fri 16 May 08

Lo_Wycombe wrote:
cmilsom wrote: A 3p charge for a plastic bag is nonsense because whats 3p to everyone. A 10p or 20p charge would be more of a impact.
Why not just get Wycombe’s unemployed people to carry your shopping for you? They would have to get rid of their cans of strong lager / extinguish their cigarette before doing so. Every little helps...
Just shout out when you're next in town Lo_Wycombe, I'll carry your bags for a bit of spare change.

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Customers will have to pay 3p for a carrier bag for the next month Customers will have to pay 3p for a carrier bag for the next month

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