Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!
Plans to extend 5p levy on plastic bags to small shops
The 5p charge for plastic bags is expected to be applied to small shops under government plans to be unveiled by the government this week.
Full story: The Guardian
My 5ps worth on this is that I think this is a good idea as the amount of plastic bags handed out free on Green Lanes is still way too high and it could be a good way to change the conversation from the customer having to refuse or return the bag to the retailer asking before packing shopping (some shops on GL are better at this than others I know).
Thoughts?
Tags for Forum Posts: plastic bags
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by John McMullan on
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They should never have been given an exemption in the first place. I'm all for it, try never to leave the house for shopping without bags now and it can be a battle to say "no thanks! I have a bag *shows bag*".
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Permalink Reply by maggie on
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Ditto.
I hope its extended to people who order deliveries. Watching a friend unpack I was astounded at the number of small articles already plastic wrapped delivered in their own plastic carrier bag with about 15 bags for a single delivery. I think the vans will take them back on the next delivery but not everyone will bother and far better that they don't do it in the first place.
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If you're referring to supermarket deliveries, at least one operator has been charging since the law changed and refunds the 5p charge if you hand them to the driver on the next delivery.
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Permalink Reply by Liz on
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You are able to specify no bags with the retailer we use. However, they still ignore it at times and I end up handing back plastic bags that I'd already indicated I didn't want. I've complained but it's not the drivers fault. The price of plastic freedom is eternal vigilance as someone always seems to be trying to slip some into your house!
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How do they bring in your groceries? Tip them out of a box onto your doorstep?
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We bring the whole box in, take it all out on the table and return the box. With two strapping kids on hand, we're very efficient. If I'm on my own, yes, I unload at the door then ferry the stuff with real shopping bags after the delivery person has gone. These days though I try and time delivery to when I've got help at hand.
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Ocado refund you 5p for every bag you return. Something really cool is that it's obvious they reuse the bags as some of them are quite stuffed.
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Point is you don't need plastic bags at all.
Default should be opt into bags, not have to deal with accepting them then handing them back.
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Permalink Reply by tigha on
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Shops usually automatically charge esp on deliveries
As for tipping the shopping on the doorstep. Well obviously not
But I'm happy to tip it onto my kitchen floor and take out the perishables
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This is a positive initiative in the sense that anything being done is positive.
It is left to each operator to determine which 'good cause' the 5p levy is paid to. They are allowed to deduct some expenses (not the cost of the bags, but admin costs associated with the implementation of the policy).
It seems that about 4p/bag is currently being paid out by the large operators who already have the levy in place.
Any local school governors should be making their way down Green Lanes asking for stores to dedicate their funds to them. At the very least it provides the shops with a legitimate destination for their funds should the authorities come knocking.
Secret shoppers will be used to monitor the bookkeeing and application of the levy. With hefty fines apparently doled out to those who don't comply. The same kinds of monitoring and fines that are used in the crackdown on smuggled or fake cigarettes and alcohol... you know, the only type available in many shops on Green Lanes. It would probably pay charities and schools to hit them up now, before they realise that no one is really going to check up or fine them.
I doubt the impact will be anywhere near as traceable or significant as the initial levy on large operators, but this will hopefully provide another little 'nudge' for people to change their behaviours.
We should also remember that it weren't for that adorable old rascal David on the BBC, Theresa would not have done a thing about it.
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