13 September 2010, 14:57 PM
  • Just one in three customers are in favour of stores charging for plastic bags to help the environment, new research has revealed

This comes despite widespread efforts by retailers to promote the use of fashionably-designed, environmentally-friendly alternatives. The study – made by YouGov SixthSense – also found that, although 32% of people believe the scheme will reduce the overall number of bags being used, 24% think it’s a ploy by stores to make more money.

16% of consumers said they would like to see the clear benefit to the community of being more eco-friendly, while 23% demanded to see evidence of the benefits of such schemes to the environment. Almost a third (29%) said that some kind of financial incentive would encourage them to use bags for life or re-use carriers from home.

The study also found people in London to be most hostile towards such schemes. “Londoners are not keen on the idea of suffering a charge for plastic bags: they are least likely to use ‘bags for life’ and are the most skeptical about retailers’ motivations for charging consumers for bags,” says James McCoy, research director for YouGov SixthSense.

“This attitude stems from the nature of London life and metropolitan life more generally. The average Londoner relies on public transport – car owners often leave their bag for life in the boot of their car, readily available for unplanned supermarket stops but those who do not own their own vehicle do not enjoy this luxury,” he adds.