Penneys shoppers will soon have to pay for paper bags, as the retailer introduces a 15c charge on all sizes — small, medium, and large — starting May 12th, 2025.
The company says the move is aimed at cutting down on single-use waste, even though their bags are made from 100% recycled and recyclable materials.
In a statement, Penneys said:
“We use thousands of paper bags every day. While they’re recyclable, we’re always looking for ways to reduce waste — so we’re introducing a 15c charge on all paper bags to encourage customers to think twice.”
On their website they said:
"Reducing paper waste in our business!
We’re introducing a small fee to single use paper bags. Got a reuseable bag? Bring it along next time you visit our stores.
Across our business we use thousands of paper bags every day. While our paper bags are made from 100% recycled and recyclable materials, we’re always looking for ways to cut down on single-use waste. That’s why from May 12th 2025, we’ll be introducing a 15c charge on all paper bags, whether small, medium, or large.
Why the change? Research shows that introducing bag charges reduces the number of new bags customers use. It’s a simple step that encourages all of us to think twice about our use. Keep reading for easy (and often more affordable) ways to carry your Primark goodies…"
Penneys is asking customers to bring their own bags or opt for one of their reusable options in store.
This follows a wider trend, as other high street retailers have also begun charging for paper bags in recent months.
