PRIMARK shoppers have expressed frustration over a major change to the retailer’s iconic brown paper bags.
Starting Monday, Primark will begin charging customers 15p for its previously free paper bags – in an bid to encourage more sustainable shopping habits.
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The Facebook group Bag a weekly bargain announced in a post last week: “Unfortunately the days of a free bag from Primark are nearly over.
“From May 12th, Primark will be charging 15p each for their paper bags.”
One shopper wrote in response to the post: “I thought paper bags were supposed to be free as they are recyclable?”
Another commented: “I won’t shop there anymore, the prices have gone really high and the quality is rubbish.
“For a lot of stuff the prices are on par with Next but the quality certainly is not.”
But not everyone was disappointed, with one shopper commenting: “They break if you have more than 4 items, not even worth the 15p.”
The retailer announced that the change is part of its efforts to “reduce single-use paper waste” within the business.
The statement reads: “Reducing single-use paper is one small step we and our customers can take to reduce waste.
“We hope this encourages more shoppers to switch to re-usable bags.”
A spokesperson for Primark said on Tuesday: “Across our business we use thousands of paper bags every day.
“While our paper bags are made from 100% recycled and recyclable materials, we’re always looking for ways to cut down on single-use waste.
“That’s why from Monday, May 12, 2025, we’ll be introducing a 15p charge on all paper bags, whether small, medium, or large.
“It’s a simple step that encourages all of us to think twice about our use.”
Primark recommended that customers bring their own reusable shopping bags when they come to shop in stores.
In Wales, a mandatory charge of at least 5p already applies to most single-use carrier bags, including paper bags in stores.
This charge was introduced by the Welsh Government in 2011 as part of efforts to reduce the use of disposable bags.
It comes as Primark’s boss recently quit after an investigation was launched into alleged inappropriate behaviour towards a female member of staff.
Paul Marchant stepped down as chief executive of the high-street brand with immediate effect in late March.
The Sun learnt that Marchant had a previous complaint against him a few years ago by a Primark employee over “inappropriate communication”.
It is understood that this is partly the reason why Primark’s owner, Associated British Foods, reacted so strongly against the latest complaint.
Associated British Foods (ABF), which owns Primark, said Marchant co-operated with the investigation, “acknowledged his error of judgment and accepts that his actions fell below the standards expected by ABF”.
“He has made an apology to the individual concerned, the ABF Board and also to his Primark colleagues and others connected to the business,” it added.
ABF stressed that it will continue to offer support to the individual who brought the incident to its attention.
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