Morrisons shoppers have been hit with a new plastic bag charge, and many people aren't happy about it.
The supermarket is currently trialling a new 30p price tag at select stores across Wales, and if successful, it could be rolled out to branches nationwide, it has been confirmed.
It's the third price rise the UK supermarket has implemented this year, as the cost of a plastic bag rose from 10p to 15p in January, before rising from 15p to 20p in April.
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Store bosses claim the price hike has been put in place to discourage non-reuse of plastic bags, but some customers have accused them of cashing in.
Posting on Twitter, one critic wrote : "30p for a carrier bag Morrisons really? What’s next, a rental charge for the shopping trolley?"
"I’ve just spent 30p on a carrier bag in Morrisons and I am shocked and upset," said somebody else.
"Bags at @Morrisons going up to 30p each. Next up will be a entry fee," wrote another enraged shopper.
However, many are backing the store's step to encourage reuse of plastic bags, as one fan said: "If anyone is actually genuinely outraged that Morrison’s are charging 30p for a plastic bag, then let me tell you your outrage is misplaced. You should be pi**ed off at yourself for being so ignorant that you still need to buy them when you’re aware of the climate crisis we’re in."
Shops are required by law to charge a minimum of 5p per plastic carrier bag, with that money going towards charities and good causes, but any charges above that price are made at the retailer's discretion.
However, most supermarkets choose to sell more 'robust' plastic bags, and there is no obligation for the proceeds to be given away.
A spokesperson for Morrisons said: "We want to encourage our customers to reuse these bags and the money raised is being reinvested in plastic reduction programmes."
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