Tesco doubles price of plastic bags to 20p in bid to get more shoppers to reuse them

TESCO has doubled the price of its ­plastic bags to 20p — but environmental groups say it should be even higher.

The increase brings the supermarket in line with Asda and Sainsbury’s, while Morrisons’ bags are the dearest at 30p.

Tesco says it wants to encourage shoppers to reuse bags and cut down on unnecessary plastic.

Some stores, such as Morrisons and Waitrose plan to ditch them altogether.

Eco groups backed Tesco’s price rise.

Christina Dixon, of the Environmental Investigation Agency, said: “Our recommendation is selling bags for at least 70p to truly drive the change we need to protect our environment.”

But it upset some shoppers.

One, Paul McKenna, said: “Well done Tesco, every little helps eh? All for a few pennies more in profit.”

And a Scottish church minister said infection control meant some carers had to pay the higher cost each time they shopped for the vulnerable.

He added: “We can’t use customers’ own bags.”

Tesco said: “We want to encourage customers to reuse their bags and cut down on unnecessary plastic.”

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