Plastic bags: shoppers have their say

Foodstuffs supermarkets will start charging for plastic bags. Photo / Martin Sykes

After a supermarket chain announced it would charge 5c each for shopping bags we asked shoppers what they think:

Barnie Peaches, 32

"I think it's probably a good thing. It'll make people think about whether or not they need one.

"I've got about 100 of them [environmental bags] but I always forget them."

Irene Walker, 44

"I was always taking bags back when we used to shop at Pak'nSave, just so I didn't have to buy any.

"We always save our [plastic] bags - I guess charging for them was always going to happen.

"I always forget them [environmental bags]. We do use them - maybe not for shopping but for other things."

Evelyn Chang, 26

"I think it's good to have recyclable bags but costing 5 cents for these - is just a bit much. For students like me, that's another cost.

"I don't always bring it [environmental bag] because it's such a hassle. You have to remember to bring it."

Priyanka Uppal, 32

"That is over the top. Their groceries are the most expensive - at least $2 more than in Pak'nSave and other places. They're so fancy and now they're charging for the bags, that's over the top.

"I do have them, but usually I do forget them - you're not always going out to shop, sometimes you just drop in to get something or come in after work."

Nick Bateman, 22

"I think it's a good idea.

"I have them, but I don't have them on me all the time. My girlfriend might ring and tell me to get something on the way home - paying 5 cents extra is just more convenient than having to remember those [environmental] bags."

Steve Coleman, 52

"I think it's proprietary. I think it's a bit much - less than 5 cents would be a bit more acceptable. You just have to think about the drinks in plastic bottles and the amount of those filling up the dumps - this is hardly going to do anything.

"We bring the [environmental] bags often, but they can be a bit too small."