Best and worst bag fees from shops revealed as we name retailers charging YOU more

Scottish Sun

31-05-2025

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FEE FURY Best and worst bag fees from shops revealed as we name retailers charging YOU more
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SHOPPERS are paying up to 566% extra for carrier bags based on where they shop.
Research by The Sun has found differences are huge.
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We've researched how much retailers charge for single-use and longer-life bags
Credit: PA
While Home Bargains charges 15p for a reusable bag, some retailers including Iceland and Waitrose charge £1 - an 85p difference.
Health retailers Superdrug and Boots also charge £1 for longer life carriers.
Retailers sell two types of bags - single use and reusable. Some shops have ditched selling single-use bags entirely, while others do have cheaper options for shoppers.
We found the cheapest long-life bags on offer from Sainsbury's, Lidl, Tesco and Aldi cost 30p - and 70p less than some of its rivals.
Since 2021, by law retailers have had to charge 10p per single-use carrier bag in a bid to reduce waste and help the environment - known as the plastic bag charge.
The government estimated that in 2013 supermarkets gave out over eight billion single-use carrier bags to shoppers across the UK.
But by 2023/24, the reduction in these bags dropped by 98% compared to 2014.
The drop off in single-use bags has seen take up of long life carriers surge.
However, consumer expert Martyn James has said customers being charged more for longer-life bags hints at profiteering by retailers.
Shopping discounts - How to make savings and find the best bargains
He said: "When the plastic bag charge was introduced, some grumbled, but at 5p a pop, it didn't break the bank.
"A decade or so on and plastic bags come in at 30p a pop or more and many people I speak to feel there is blatant profiteering going on."
We looked at the major supermarkets and retailers to see how much they charge for single-use and long life bags. Here's what we found.
How supermarket bag costs compare
All the major supermarkets don't sell single-use carrier bags apart from Co-op and Aldi which sell 10p compostable carrier bags.
Co-op's bag, once used, doubles-up as a waste food bin liner, which can then be thrown away.
Prices for these same supermarkets' longer-life bag options can vary significantly.
Asda's Bag For Life will set you back 40p while Morrisons' paper Bag For Life is also 40p.
Morrisons also sells plastic Bags For Life for 60p, and replaces any which are damaged for free.
Lidl, Sainsbury's and Tesco's Bags For Life cost 30p. Aldi sells an Eco-Loop carrier reusable bag for 30p while its Bag For Life is 65p.
Waitrose doesn't offer shoppers Bags For Life, however they can get thicker reusable bags from £1.
Frozen food specialist Iceland's woven reusable bags cost £1.
How other major retailer prices compare
Boots sells a variety of different size single-use paper bags. Small bags cost 10p, medium bags 12p and larger carriers 20p.
Shoppers can also buy a medium Boots Bag For Life for £1 or large size for £1.20.
Discounter Home Bargains only sells reusable carrier bags, which cost 15p in Great Britain and 20p in Northern Ireland.
Fashion retailer New Look charges customers 30p for its Bag For Life.
Poundland's reusable bags start at 50p while it also has Bags for Life which start priced at £1.
Meanwhile, Primark's single-use paper bags, which were previously free of charge, cost 15p and its reusable sacks cost from 80p.
Ikea's most popular "FRAKTA" reusable bag starts from 50p while shoppers can buy a larger size for 75p.
Health and beauty retailer Superdrug charges 15p for its single-use paper bags. It also sells a foldable reusable tote bag for £1.
A Primark spokesperson said: 'Like most retailers, we now have a small charge for our paper bags.
"Reducing single-use paper is one small step we and our customers can make to reduce waste.
"We hope this encourages more shoppers to switch to re-usable bags."
A Boots spokesperson said: "A Boots bag for life costs £1 for a medium size and £1.20 for a large size.
"The bags are reusable and are made from 100% recycled bottles."
A Waitrose spokesperson said its longer life bags are a different design to traditional longer life bags.
They added: "They are a durable long term option which our customers have bags of love for - and we want them to last years."
We asked Iceland and Superdrug to comment.
How to cut the cost of your grocery shop
SAVING on your shop can make a big difference to your wallet. Here are some tips from comparison site Money.co.uk about how you can cut the cost of your shopping bills: Write yourself a list – Only buy items that you need. If it isn't on your list, don't put it in the trolley
Only buy items that you need. If it isn't on your list, don't put it in the trolley Create a budget – Work out a weekly budget for your food shopping
– Work out a weekly budget for your food shopping Never shop hungry – you are far more likely to buy more food if your tummy is rumbling
– you are far more likely to buy more food if your tummy is rumbling Don't buy pre-chopped veggies or fruit – The extra they'll charge for chopping can be eye watering
– The extra they'll charge for chopping can be eye watering Use social media – follow your favourite retailers to find out about the latest deals
– follow your favourite retailers to find out about the latest deals Be disloyal – You may want to go to different stores to find the best bargains
– You may want to go to different stores to find the best bargains Check the small print – It's always worth checking the price per kg/lb/litre when comparing offers so you're making a like for like decision as a bigger box won't necessarily mean you get more
– It's always worth checking the price per kg/lb/litre when comparing offers so you're making a like for like decision as a bigger box won't necessarily mean you get more Use your loyalty cards – Don't be afraid to sign up to them all. They all work slightly differently – work out what bonus suits you better and remember to trade in your points for additional rewards
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing [e-mail].
Plus, you can join our Sun Money Chats and Tips Facebook group to share your tips and stories