Aldi has made a big change in some of its stores and it's proving a controversial move. As part of its bid to become greener, the budget retailer has introduced paper bags costing 15 pence each.
The brown bags, adorned with 'love your planet' text accompanied by a green leaf, have started hitting stores this week. But they haven't gone down well with all shoppers.
Holly Barton shared a photo of the bags in the Extreme Couponing and Bargains UK group after being impressed with the addition.
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And while some agreed, saying 'about time' and 'hopefully all stores will do them', her post was inundated with complaints from shoppers - angry about the price and the quality of paper bags in general. "All good for saving the planet, but remember we live in a place with more rain than sun," said one.
"These paper bags burst when you put anything in them," said another.
Others said they weren't aware that shops could charge for paper bags and don't think it's fair, with one branding it 'a rip off'. "I never knew you had to pay for paper bags," said one, while another added: "Shouldn't have to pay for paper bags anywhere."
Holly told the Manchester Evening News she was surprised by the reactions to her post. She said: "I personally thought 15p was a good price for a strong recyclable bag."
She wasn't the only one with a more positive outlook on the addition. "Paper bags all the way... Save the planet a little each day," said one. With another shopper adding: "Don't get why people are moaning about the quality of the paper bags - take your own problem solved!"
The retailer sells a range of other bags, including 10p compostable carrier bags, 20p eco-loop bags made from 100% recycled plastic, and its thicker 55p bag for life.
Its bags fared well in a recent comparison with other supermarkets - on both strength and cost. Morrisons' paper bags for example, sell for 60p each.
In fact out of all the supermarket bags tested, Aldi's 20p bags for life took the winner's crown. An Aldi spokesperson said: “Aldi shoppers can choose from a number of reusable bags including our compostable carrier bags, a woven bag for life and a large, reusable carrier bag made using recycled plastic.”
Have you seen the paper bags in your Aldi store? Would you be happy to use one? Let us know in the comments here.
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