Charging for Plastic Bags

fortean

On the train the other day a womans plastic bag burst and all her shopping ended up on the floor. She was quite annoyed because she had been charged for the bag.

It made me think about the legal implications. Since the bag was sold to the customer I assume it should be fit for purpose and consequently the shop could be liable for damages, even consequential damages, as a result of the bag's failure.

If this is the case then are shops more likely to start selling stronger plastic bags that use more material so as to avoid any problems with failure. If so would this also mean an overall increase in the amount of material being used to manufacture plastic bags, and so eventually ending up in land fill?

SeanT

I've occasionally been given an extra plastic bag for free, by our local store (that does charge for the bags), on the basis that they aren't really strong enough for the gallon of beer that fits in one. It would make sense if they were a bit stronger in the first place though.

DPinBucks

Undoubtedly.  If you've been charged for it, then it must be fit for purpose.  Make sure it's shown on your till receipt.

dazza74

Not overly sympathetic I have to say.  I absolutely despair with the resonable price of the "Big Green Bags" that Tesco's sell you still have people loading up a trolley with 9 or 10 plastic carriers.  I realised this was a false economy long ago when a bottle of wine slipped out of a plastic carrier and smashed on the floor.

SeanT

You mean you weren't using a cardboard wine carrier?

I'm put off the stronger bags because of the terrible standard of the products on most of the shelves, which tend to have as much of whatever sticky / goes rancid stuff you're buying on the outside of it's excessive packaging as there is on the inside recently, making reusing the bags quite a horrible experience, and storing them unhygienic.

Corey USA

make people bring there own bags. removes the whole issue of liability and cost

After all the products we have are already bought have excessive packaging as is to protect said product.

I use heavy duty Cotton totes:us: I carry them whenever I know I am shopping.

steford

More importantly a lack of plastic bags in my house would mean me having to go out and buy bin liners. Current non-recyclable waste runs to about 2 regular carrier bags full a week - which is just about the number I get from the odd time we forget to take a reusable shopping bag or buy something unexpected that needs a bag. Whilst the net effect of paying for bags/banning bags would be a reduction in plastic I'm sure the plastic bag is very reusable in itself.

stuart2

Indeed we use plastics bags from supermarkets to dispose of our waste. There must be lots of people who buy black plastic bin liners and throw away supermarket plastic bags. Duh!

kBm

Was the bag fit for purpose, but the shopper overloaded the bag which is going beyond the bags reasonable use?  

If they are that bad for the environment, why they dont stop producing plastic bags?