When Is A Carrier Bag Not A Carrier Bag?

[mrs.chappie]

I bought some fresh fish (in a sealed tray) and a small bag of frozen mashed potato from the supermarket, along with other shopping. I'd taken my own cloth shopping bag.

As I went through the checkout, I noticed a roll of flimsy small bags (the sort you'd put serve-yourself fresh veg or loose bread rolls in) at the check-out, and asked the girl if I could have one for my bag of frozen mash, as it was a bit wet.

She replied that she couldn't give me the bag for the frozen mash, but she could give me it for the fish. 'Okay', I said, 'can I have a bag for the fish then?'

She replied that I could have the bag as long as I didn't put the frozen mash in it, as well as the fish. If I put the frozen mash in it, along with the fish, it became a carrier bag, and strictly speaking (her words) she would need to charge me 5p for it. She then stated that it was not her decision - it was the law.

I showed her my cloth bag and pointed out that I didn't need a carrier bag as I already had my own bag. She reiterated the ruling, saying it wasn't up to her - it was now the law.

I told her that I thought it a tad harsh to charge 5p for a flimsy, weak bag that was, in my opinion, nothing like a carrier bag.

It also made me wonder if this new law is as rigid as it appears, or if, in some circumstances, there can be exceptions.

Any thoughts please?

[mrs.chappie]

I've just read that last post of mine and it sounds like gobbledygook. :o(

Anyhow peeps, I think you know what I mean, so I'm off to bed, it's been a long day. Night all. x

[viv41]

What a ridiculous conversation, saying you can have a bag for the mash, but not the fish !!! What the hell ...... The world's gone mad, mad I tell you !

[RandyMarsh]

take it on the chin, you have it good for years getting all those free bags, you should have looked after them.

(lmao)

[viv41]

Yep, we've never had it so good, free bags for years and years. My cup runneth over !!

[RandyMarsh]

and what did we do with them?, stuffed them in draws, picked up dog mess with them and watched them blow whimsicality in the breeze.

If only we could turn the clock back Viv, but genies don't go back into bottles, look at the mess we are in now.

[viv41]

Picking up dog mess with them is surely a good thing ?? At lease they were being recycled ......

I have no objection to paying for carrier bags at all, my response was to have a laugh at the 'jobsworth' assistant the OP encountered.

[Mamyalynne]

The 'jobsworth' assistant also has a supervisor on her case , she may dislike what seems petty as much as the customer but needs her job.

[Captain2]

Agree with mamya, plus it is a £5K fine for the Operator if bags given without chsrge so no wonder we try to cover our backsides.:)

[hc4361]

The carousel bags (those small bags with handles for loose fruit and veg) are free is used for loose fruit and veg, but use one for a bag of frozen peas and you should be charged 5p.

[SlackAlice]

Think I would have taken the bag for the fish and once outside the shop put the frozen mash inside.

Oh, and given them a cheery wave and smile as I toddled off home.

[viv41]

Oh thanks for putting me straight, so grateful !

[RandyMarsh]

SlaceAlice, no doubt with the chorus to this masterpiece playing for everyone to hear!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7IhDb4rzMbg

[viv41]

Good one SlackAlice.

[KARL]

I keep two articles which give a summary of the law regarding the statutory charge for plastic bags. I do not keep them in order to check whether I am being correctly treated but to add to my collection of absurd legislation, rules and practices in the UK.

[Mamyalynne]

Very wise Karl.

[mrs.chappie]

Viv, it was the other way round - the checkout girl said I could have a free bag for the fish but not if I was going to put the frozen mash in it too (although when I asked at Customer Services I was told that I didn't qualify for a free bag at all, as the fish was sealed and in theory shouldn't leak).

I'm not against the idea of paying for bags (although I always reused my free bags as bin liners) - it just seemed a bit picky to tell me I couldn't put the frozen mash in the bag along with the fish, unless I was willing to pay 5p and call it a carrier bag. I was clearly not one of those who wanted to carry all their shopping in several of those little bags to save buying a 5p carrier bag (which is rather cheeky and I can fully understand a shop putting a stop to that).

Both checkout girl and Customer Services stated, 'We can be prosecuted if we don't follow this through, we have pages and pages of legislation on this'.

Ah, well...wouldn't want 'em prosecuted for breaking the law...I'll start carrying plastic as well as cloth bags from now on. :o)