SHOPPERS can ‘bag’ themselves a re-usable Dudley carrier just in time for new charges being introduced for plastic bags at some stores.

Dudley Ambassadors are giving away cloth bags to promote shopping in the town and help people save money ahead of the new charging scheme.

As from October 5, large stores in England will charge at least 5p for every plastic bag they provide – adding an extra cost to people’s weekly shop.

Councillor Khurshid Ahmed, cabinet member for planning and economic development, said: “On a weekly shop that [5p charge] will really start to add up.

“We hope people will pick up their free Dudley bags and use them not only to save money but also to help the environment and promote the town.”

Nikki Cheung, Dudley Ambassador, added: “Our bags are cloth so they can easily pack away in a handbag or a rucksack. We are using them to promote shopping in Dudley and to encourage more people to use our shops many of which are independents and rely on local trade.”

Dudley’s cloth bags are available to pick up from the Council House, Dudley Library and Dudley Council Plus – while stocks last.

 

Five things you need to know about the charge:

1 - It will protect the environment.

The environment is undoubtedly important to preserve and adding the charge is predicted to reduce carrier bag use by 80 per cent in larger supermarkets. This will also limit litter and pollution which currently stands a substantial issue.

2 - It will reduce the amount of carrier bags issued.

More than 7.6 billion single-use plastic bags given to shoppers by major supermarkets in England in 2013. That’s the equivalent to 61,000 tonnes in total. Plastic carrier bags take longer than other materials to degrade in the environment, can damage wildlife, and are extremely visible when littered.

3 - What bags are exempt?

Paper bags. You will not be charged an extra five pence to have your fish and chips wrapped up in a paper bag. Shops in transit places such as airports, or on board trains, aeroplanes or ships. Bags only containing certain items, such as unwrapped food, raw meat and fish. You won’t be charged for the plastic bag these items are placed in.

4 - What happens to the money raised from the charge?

The charge will produce millions of pounds which stores will give to good causes.

5 - How many carrier bags are you hoarding?

The average household has around 40 bags scattered around the home - millions remain unused.