MSE News
Morrisons to double price of plastic bags to 20p – and offer paper bags too
Morrisons will next week double the price of a reusable plastic bag from 10p to 20p – and then start rolling out a new 20p paper bag to stores across the country.
The supermarket started a trial at eight stores in January, which involved offering customers a 15p reusable plastic bag or a 20p reusable paper bag. But it now says all of its 494 stores will offer both plastic and paper bags for 20p.
Plastic bags will cost 20p at all Morrisons stores from Monday 8 April. The new paper bags, which are made in Wales from 'sustainably sourced' forests and can hold up to 16kg in weight, will be available in all Welsh stores from next week and in English and Scottish stores from May.
See Supermarket Shopping Tips for help on cutting your shopping bill, plus our 13 ways to use less plastic AND save cash.
What do other supermarkets charge for plastic bags?
All large retailers are required by law to charge a 5p levy on single-use plastic bags, in a bid to reduce plastic waste. The Government is currently consulting on whether to increase the charge to 10p and extend it to all retailers in England. Paper bags are exempt from the charge.
But Aldi, Asda, Lidl, Morrisons, Sainsbury's and Tesco have all scrapped the 5p single-use plastic bags altogether – a move which Morrisons says has cut bag sales by 25%.
Instead, the major supermarkets now sell reusable plastic bags, or 'bags for life':
- Sainsbury's sells two different reusable plastic bags, charged at 5p or 10p.
- Aldi, Asda and Lidl charge 9p (although Lidl is currently trialling phasing out its 9p plastic bags as well).
- Tesco charges 10p.
What does Morrisons say?
Andy Atkinson, group customer and marketing director at Morrisons, said: "We are taking another meaningful step that will remove an estimated 1,300 tonnes of plastic out of the environment each year.
"Our customers have told us that reducing plastic is their number one environmental concern, so introducing the paper bag across the nation will provide another way of reducing the plastic in their lives."
MSE weekly email
FREE weekly MoneySaving email
For all the latest deals, guides and loopholes simply sign up today – it's spam-free!
Join the MSE Forum discussion
Related Articles
-
Wilko administration – here are your refund and shopping rights
20 September 2023![]()
Your refund and shopping rights as budget homeware retailer Wilko falls into administration. -
Standard first-class stamp prices to rise by 14% from 2 October – here's how to beat the hike
4 September 2023![]()
First-class stamp prices will rise by 14% for standard size letters, Royal Mail has confirmed. From Monday 2 October, the cost of a first-class stamp will be hiked to £1.25. -
Hive to remotely switch off certain cameras and smart devices by 2025 including three this year – here are your rights
1 September 2023![]( "1672762984")
Smart home tech provider Hive is to switch off a number of smart devices, security devices and leak sensors, leaving you unable to use them. Five products have already been discontinued, with three more set to be switched off by 2025. -
Three million Tesco shoppers have Clubcard vouchers expiring on 31 August – here's how to extend them
22 August 2023![]()
Three million Tesco Clubcard holders need to spend £11.5 million worth of vouchers before they expire at the end of this month.
19 September 2023
-
Martin: Car insurance up 41%
Home not far behind. Lock in now to save
-
Cheapest ever iPhone 14 deal
As iPhone 15's launched
-
12 ways to cut your food bill
Deals, tricks & tips
-
FREE National Trust day pass
For a family – normally £30ish
-
TWO new bank bribes launch
Get up to £210 FREE
-
With E.on? Beat the Price Cap
With its new fixed-term tariff
-
243 spring bulbs £15 delivered
7,500 bundles available
-
Read the full email
For all the latest deals, guides and loopholes simply sign up today – it's spam-free!
-
'Unfair' standing charges need to go: MPs back Martin's and MSE's calls for energy bill overhaul
23 September 2023![]()
Energy standing charges unfairly penalise households on lower incomes and those looking to cut their usage, a cross-party group of MPs have said in a new report published today. -
Martin Lewis: Urgent warning for savers as base rate held at 5.25%
22 September 2023![]( "1764282989")
You should open a fixed savings rate NOW in case rates are cut, MoneySavingExpert.com founder Martin Lewis has warned. -
Martin Lewis: Are you an E.on customer? Here's an easy way to cut what you pay for energy
21 September 2023![]( "333005096")
E.on Next's 'Pledge' tariff could be an easy way to cut your bills over the next year, according to MoneySavingExpert.com founder Martin Lewis. -
NatWest and RBS to close at least 134 branches in 2023/24 – here's the full list, plus alternatives
21 September 2023![]()
The NatWest Group will shut at least 143 of its bank branches throughout 2023 and 2024 following its latest announcement. -
Bank of Scotland, Halifax and Lloyds to close 35 more branches in 2023/24 – here's the full list, plus alternatives
21 September 2023![]()
Bank of Scotland, Halifax and Lloyds, which are all part of the Lloyds Banking Group, have announced they'll close at least 35 more branches between them over the next 12 months.
-
Martin Lewis: Is it time to ban unnecessary Christmas presents?
11 September 2023![]()
Update September 2017: It’s eight years since I first braved this subject, expecting a snowstorm of protest. Instead, year after year more join in, like Julia who recently tweeted me, “@MartinSLewis, finally took your advice and told my family I can’t afford Christmas presents. What a weight off my mind. Thank you.” One year even the Archbishop of... -
Martin Lewis: Five things all new English university starters should know
4 September 2023![]()
The 2023 academic year is about to start, and it'll see the biggest shake-up to student finance in England for a decade. The changes are both subtle and massive. On the surface they look like a tweak, in practice they will increase the eventual cost of going to university by over 50% for many typical graduates.
Clever ways to calculate your finances
