Oh my god. I literally just got back from my weekend Primark haul yesterday with THREE of those iconic brown paper bags stuffed to bursting. Talk about timing! If I'd waited until tomorrow, I'd have been shelling out an extra 45p. Not exactly breaking the bank, but still...
Starting Monday (that's tomorrow, folks), Primark is slapping a 15p charge on those previously free paper bags we've all come to expect. My sister texted me about this last night with just "WTF PRIMARK 😡" and honestly, same.
The Last Free Bag Day
The Facebook group "Bag a weekly bargain" broke teh news last week with this little bombshell: "Unfortunately the days of a free bag from Primark are nearly over. From May 12th, Primark will be charging 15p each for their paper bags."
I checked their official statement (while drinking my morning coffee and feeling slightly offended, not gonna lie). Apparently this is all part of their grand plan to "reduce single-use paper waste" within the business. Noble, I guess, but the timing feels off when they've just hiked prices on basically everything else.
One particularly annoyed shopper commented: "I thought paper bags were supposed to be free as they are recyclable?"
Valid point. I remember back in 2019 when everyone was patting Primark on the back for switching to paper in the first place.
Quality Issues That Make You Go Hmmmm
Another shopper didn't hold back: "I won't shop there anymore, the prices have gone really high and the quality is rubbish. For a lot of stuff the prices are on par with Next but the quality certainly is not."
But then there's this person who actually makes a decent point: "They break if you have more than 4 items, not even worth the 15p."
Listen. They're not wrong. Last month I was walking through Manchester city centre when the bottom of my Primark bag gave out and I watched in horror as three new tops and a pair of pajamas scattered across the wet pavement. Mortifying.
What's Their Actual Reasoning?
A Primark spokesperson explained on Tuesday: "Across our business we use thousands of paper bags every day. While our paper bags are made from 100% recycled and recyclable materials, we're always looking for ways to cut down on single-use waste."
They went on: "That's why from Monday, May 12, 2025, we'll be introducing a 15p charge on all paper bags, whether small, medium, or large. It's a simple step that encourages all of us to think twice about our use."
Translation: Bring your own bag or pay up.
Wales Has Been Doing This For Ages
I've got a friend in Cardiff who reminded me that Wales has actually had a mandatory 5p charge on most single-use bags (including paper ones) since 2011. So they've been dealing with this for 14 years already.
Maybe the rest of us are just catching up? Still doesn't make it any less annoying when you're already at the till with an armful of clothes adn suddenly remember you've left your tote in the car.
The Elephant in the Room: Leadership Drama
This bag charge comes hot on the heels of some serious executive drama at Primark. Their boss, Paul Marchant, quit back in March after an investigation into alleged inappropriate behavior towards a female staff member.
Apparently this wasn't his first offense either. From what I've read, there was a previous complaint a few years back over "inappropriate communication" with an employee.
Associated British Foods (ABF), Primark's parent company, said Marchant "acknowledged his error of judgment and accepts that his actions fell below the standards expected."
Poor timing to roll out new charges when your leadership is in shambles, no?
So What Now? Bring Your Own Bag or Pay Up
Primark is pushing customers to bring reusable bags instead. They sell their own totes for around £2 (I actually have the leopard print one they're advertising - it's held up surprisingly well for something that cost less than a coffee).
I'll probably just start stuffing one of my many, MANY reusable bags into my purse before heading to Primark. Or maybe I'll just order online more often.
What about you? Will a 15p bag charge change your Primark shopping habits?
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https://hellofaread.com/money/sweet-dreams-crushed-edinburghs-jars-dessert-bar-shuts-down-as-workers-left-in-the-lurch
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