U.K. Retailer To Charge For Plastic Bags

One of Britain's largest retailers says it will start charging for plastic bags at all of its stores as part of a drive to eliminate waste.

Beginning May 6, food and clothing retailer Marks & Spencer says it will charge 5 pence ($.10 cents) per plastic bag.

Marks & Spencer says it hopes the charge will save 280 million bags per year, and income from bags that are sold will go to an environmental charity called Groundwork.

The reviews thus far have been mixed.

Karen Webb, 39, a legal secretary from Bootle, Merseyside, told the U.K. Telegraph, "We should be doing more to protect the environment and I think the 5p charge will encourage many more people to recycle."

But at Marks & Spencer Simply Food in Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham, Vera Claire, 69, said, "We feel as though we are being forced into paying for the bags, we have no choice. And 5p a bag will add up over a month."

The company said Thursday that it has tested the idea in Northern Ireland and southwestern England, and says it cut bag use by 70 percent, reports the Telegraph.

Marks and Spencer will give all food customers free long-lasting bags from early April for one month, reports the U.K. Press Association.

The 5p charge will begin on May 6.