Tesco gives out free paper bags to dodge 5p charge on plastic bags

One branch of Tesco has found a legal loophole

A branch of Tesco in London is giving out paper bags to dodge the 5p charge it is legally required to levy on plastic bags.

Shops with over 250 staff (across all branches) have been charging customers 5p for large plastic bags since the beginning of October.

Some shoppers took desperate measures to avoid the charges, including stealing shopping trolleys.

But now one branch of Tesco has found a legal loophole, by offering its customers free, recyclable paper bags instead.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs told the Evening Standard that there was nothing to stop Tesco doing this - but it would encourage customers to pay 5p for a plastic bag instead.

“The key thing is encouraging people to reuse bags.

"The best thing to do is to have a plastic bag in your pocket. But clearly paper bags can be recycled and do degrade better than plastic bags, and they won’t end up strangling a turtle," the source said.

Tesco said it gives all money made from plastic bags to charity. It has confirmed that paper bags are being used at one London store.