Don't know if this is just Scotland (seems to be where all the 'best' ideas
are tried out), but B&Q up here has started charging for carrier bags.

I had a little chat with the manager who informed me that it was them
doing their little bit to save the environment:

* By encouraging customers to re-use carrier bags

* By charging over cost price for the bags and donating profits to
environmental schemes

* By acting ahead of proposed legislation to apply penalty taxes to the
sale of carrier bags

I replied that:

* I do re-use carrier bags, to dispose of rubbish, saving the cost/waste of
binbags, and to scoop up dog poop that kind owners fail to clear up next to
my house, but that I object to paying at a rate of 5p per poop for the
privilege.

* If I wish to make a donation to environmental charities, I know where to
find them.

* I'll be happy to lobby my elected rep when the introduction of penalty
taxes for carrier bags is debated in parliament, until then please don't try to
second guess proposed legislation.

I decided I didn't really need the bits & pieces I had collected and left them
for the manager to re-stack on the shelves. I certainly didn't need the 2
large hanks of wire wool that were in the basket getting soaked in the rain
on the way to the car.

Anyone else effected, unimpressed or disinterested?
--
fred