Macfarlane Packaging Online Sponsors Five Customers Making the Move from Plastic to Paper Bags This April

Since October 2015, the UK Government’s policy on introducing a 5p charge on single use plastic bags in England has contributed to a reduction of nearly 90%. It comes as no surprise, there are plans afoot to roll-out an extension of the plastic bag levy to encompass small businesses, including convenience stores and corner shops, and so cover almost all plastic bags.

The Government’s latest update to their policy paper discusses the latest plans, which we’ve summarised here for ease.

• Under the current policy shops with less than 250 staff are exempt from the 5p plastic bag levy.
• Smaller businesses can also charge on a voluntary basis if they wish.
• Shoppers can avoid being charged by bringing their own bags and many retailers now sell single use “bags for life”.
• There are some cases where retailers do not have to charge shoppers for bags which include: paper bags, airport shops, on board trains, planes and ships and for bags where there is a food safety risk (raw meat for example) prescription medicines, seeds, bulbs, flowers or live fish.
• There is nothing in the law that prevents retailers from charging for bags, even where there’s an exemption.
• There is currently no exemption for biodegradable bags.

It is expected over the next 10 years, the benefits will continue with savings in litter clean up costs and carbon savings of £13m, and with two thirds of retailers choosing to give over £66m to good causes in the year to April 2017, there’s no doubting the carrier bag charge has made a significant difference on several fronts.

Now is a very good time to consider making the transition to paper carrier bags, and retailers from all kinds of industry verticals can rely on Macfarlane Packaging’s comprehensive range of recyclable white and brown paper bags which come in a variety of sizes. For those retailers keen on branded paper bags, Macfarlane Packaging Online offer surprisingly cost-effective personalisation to help achieve strong brand awareness long after the sale is made.

Read 5 Easy Ways to Reduce Your Plastic Packaging

Macfarlane Packaging has always been fully committed to minimising the impact that packaging has on our planet and we strive to offer a full range of eco-friendly packaging solutions to suit our retailers, that do not compromise on the level of quality and protection.

Learn more about Macfarlane’s three R’s of packaging principals. Reduce, Reuse and Recycle…

Why not change to take-away paper bags as an alternative and save the bag tax and the planet?

During the month of April, the Macfarlane team is keen to help encourage our customers to make the change from plastic to paper this year.

Like and share any of our Facebook posts in April about our Paper Bags Awareness Month and we will pick five lucky customers who have ordered a supply of paper bags from us in April and refund the cost of their bag order in full.

Visit our Facebook page to start liking and sharing our paper bag posts.

Before you enter the competition, please make sure to read our full Terms and Conditions available below:

• The competition is open to the residents of the United Kingdom aged 18 years and above.
• Only one entry per person / account will be accepted. Multiple entries from the same person / account will be disqualified.
• The competition opens on Monday 16th April 2018 and closes at 15:00 on Monday 30th April 2018. Any entries submitted after this time will not be counted.
• To enter the competition, place your paper bags order via the Macfarlane Packaging Online website http://macfarlane-online.com, and enter the promotional code LIKED before you checkout. Then like and share any of our Paper Bags Awareness posts appearing on our official Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/MacfarlaneOnline/
• Five lucky winners will be selected at random and will receive a refund of their paper bag order placed in April 2018 up to a value of £100.
• Refunds apply to PRP prices only and exclude delivery charges.
• The winners will be contacted via email on Tuesday, 1^st May 2018.
• The prize is as stated and no cash or alternatives will be offered.
• In the event of a prize being unavailable, the promoter reserves the right to offer an alternative prize of equal or greater value.
• If the winner of the draw does not respond within 28 days, Macfarlane Group UK Limited reserves the right to hold another draw to select a new winner.
• Macfarlane Group UK Limited accepts no responsibility for entries that are lost, delayed, misdirected or incomplete or cannot be delivered or entered for any technical or other reason. Proof of delivery of the entry is not proof of receipt by Macfarlane Group UK Limited.
• Macfarlane Group UK Limited accepts no responsibility for any damage, loss, liabilities, injury or disappointment incurred or suffered by you as a result of entering the prize draw or accepting the prize.
• The decision of Macfarlane Group UK Limited in all matters under its control is final and no correspondence will be entered into.
• Macfarlane Group UK Limited shall use and take care of any personal information you supply in accordance with data protection legislation and as described in its privacy policy which can be found here. By entering the Prize Draw, you agree to the collection, retention and usage of your personal information in order to process and contact you about your Prize Draw entry. Your data will not be passed to 3rd parties.
• Employees of Macfarlane Group UK Limited or any associated company of Macfarlane Group UK Limited are not eligible to enter the prize draw.
• Entrants into the prize draw shall be deemed to have accepted these Terms and Conditions.
• The promoter of the prize draw is Macfarlane Group UK Limited, Milton Keynes, Kingston, Whitehall Avenue, MK10 0BU
• Offer cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer or discount. Offer applies to orders placed online only.