Poll: Should Irish shoppers be charged for carrier bags?
While a plastic bag levy has been in place in Ireland since 2002 as part of a bid to reduce the impact of bags on the environment, it hasn't been commonplace for shops in Ireland to place a levy on paper bags.
That doesn't mean shops around the country aren't. There are a growing number in many counties, with Dublin North Bay Fine Gael Councillor Naoise Ó Muirí hitting out last year at the 'growing number' of retailers charging for paper bags, which she claimed was unfair on shoppers and contrary to sustainable shopping habits.
Now high-street retailer Penneys has chosen to start charging shoppers for its signature brown paper carrier bags at checkout tills.
Starting from next Monday (May 12), the company is introducing a 15 cent fee in a bid to reduce the amount of single-use waste.
"Across our business we use thousands of paper bags every day,' Penneys' bosses said in a statement. 'While our paper bags are made from 100 per cent recycled and recyclable materials, we're always looking for ways to cut down on single-use waste.
"That's why from May 12, 2025, we'll be introducing a 15c charge on all paper bags, whether small, medium, or large. Why the change? Research shows that introducing bag charges reduces the number of new bags customers use. It's a simple step that encourages all of us to think twice about our use.
"We're committed to being part of the solution when it comes to clothing and non-clothing waste, and this change is just one of the small steps we're taking. We hope it inspires more customers to make the switch to reusable bags."
Shoppers who want to avoid having to pay the 15c fee at checkout from next Monday are urged to bring their own reusable shopping bag on their next visit to Penneys.
In light of this news, the Irish Mirror is asking readers if Irish shoppers should be charged for carrier bags? Let us know in our new poll below.
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