From technological advances to food innovation, supermarkets are always introducing changes in stores.

Some of these prove a hit with shoppers, but others haven’t been received so well – like the removal of manned checkouts, which sparked major backlash around the UK. 

Each week there’s seemingly something new happening at the big retailers, and right now the topic that’s got everyone talking is bags for life.

That’s because the likes of Tesco and Sainsbury’s have recently raised the prices of their cheapest bags for life, in a move shoppers have branded ‘ridiculous’ and ‘a joke’.

Supermarkets have been required by the government to charge a minimum of 10p for a ‘returnable multiple reuse bag’ since May 2021, and the bag has to be ‘replaced free of charge’ when it’s worn out.

However, most supermarkets are now charging triple this amount, with prices rising even higher over the last few weeks.

Who has the most expensive reusable bags?

Waitrose has the most expensive reusable bag, a Durabag which costs £1.

This is followed by Morrisons, where bags for life are 60p each and a paper bag for life is 40p.

Both Sainsbury’s and Tesco have raised their bag for life prices from 30p to 40p this month, with Tesco’s price change coming into effect as of today (October 29).

Asda also charges 40p, with Lidl’s bags costing 30p and Aldi selling a range of bags, including a 10p compostable bag, a 30p Eco-loop bag and a Durafold bag for life that’s 65p.

A Tesco spokesperson told Metro: ‘Our cheapest Bags for Life cost 40p and are made of 100% recycled plastic. They can be reused many times, and if they become worn out can be replaced for free at our customer service desks and recycled again.’

The retailer claims the increased price is intended to ‘encourage customers’ to bring their own shopping bags with them ‘to cut down on plastic’, but they still sell a range of reusable bags in case they are needed.

Sainsbury’s price change was first spotted earlier this month and shared on the Costoflivingcrisis Tips group on Facebook. 

A photo from October 8, shows a sign at the checkout in a Sainsbury’s store, which reads: ‘Our bags for life are now 40p, but you can still exchange your old bags for free.’

A Sainsbury’s spokesperson revealed the price had remained at 30p for three years, but they’d recently updated it in order to ‘balance rising costs’.

They added that all profits from the sales of the bags are ’donated to good causes’.

Despite some retailers donating the profits to charity, many shoppers aren’t happy about parting with more money.

In response to a post on Facebook, people shared their thoughts, with a user known only as Gary Gary writing: ‘Should be no more than 5p.’

Similarly, Connor Evans said: ‘What a joke FFS. It’s ridiculous.’

While, Ryky Darling commented: ‘That’s ludicrous.’

Maria Leo agreed, sharing: ‘What a joke. I remember when they were free and then for 5p.’

Anne Evans also thought the bags should be ‘free’ as with branding on people are ‘advertising’ for the retailers.

The price of bags at Morrisons also upset shoppers, with Adam Green saying he ‘couldn’t believe’ it, adding a nauseous emoji and Kyle Mullinder saying: ’60p in rip off Morrisons’.

However, not everyone had an issue with the price of bags as they thought people should simply bring their own from home if they didn’t want to pay.

‘People are complaining. Just take your own bags. That was the whole purpose of bag charges: to encourage people to use reusable bags,’ Jasmine Thompson pointed out.

Lewis Farley also shared some tough love, saying: ‘Ultimately, start adapting and stop whining. The wasteful nature of Gen X and prior is still prevelant unfortunately.’

Mhari Gibbons claimed: ‘I’ve been using my own bag for over 20 years, if you keep using your own bags, it just becomes second nature. I’m not talking about those s***ty plastic ones, I’m talking about good quality camvas folding ones. I’ve got a good Superdrug one ATM. I prefer them as they hold more stuff and don’t disintegrate.’

And Louise Hilton added: ‘Simple solution, pay or make more effort to take your own. Really not difficult.’

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