TOTW: why do companies charge for non-plastic bags ?

On a recent trip to the Body Shop we were asked to pay 5p for a non-plastic bag, we queried why we were paying 5p for a non- plastic bag and we were told, because ‘they have to pay for it’. Which had us wondering why exactly are we charged for non-plastic bags and where are the funds going?
The Body Shop charge us 5p for paper bags which are made from 100%, recycled materials and produced using environmentally friendly water-based inks. The 5p cost is said to go towards the cost of making the bags.
#FLODown: We are 100% on board with the shift to making everything as environmentally friendly as possible. However, after purchasing a 200ml tube of cream for £15, a free bag would be much appreciated.
Clive Lyttle is the Artistic Director of Certain Blacks, a new Arts Council England funded organisation. He has held senior roles at Arts Council England, including Head of Combined Arts for the South East, overseeing circus, outdoor arts, and major venues like The Roundhouse and Jacksons Lane…
You might feel like your business is doing well. Profits are steady, and invoices are paid. But what happens if revenue dips next month? Can your business still manage wages, vendor payments, and routine costs?
The Italian Greyhound sits handsomely on the corner of Seymour Street and Seymour Place in an area sprinkled with high end restaurants like Anglo Thai and Basque restaurant Donosita. It is just here to be the neighbourhood restaurant we all need.
Departing from the usual art fair model of booths, Art Basel Qatar will focus on solo exhibitions by galleries, shaped by individual artistic visions. The fair is designed to create a more meaningful experience for visitors while spotlighting artists and galleries from the Middle East, North Africa, South Asia, and beyond…
With the summer holidays underway, there are plenty of brilliant things to do with kids across London. Here’s our guide to seven great activities to do with kids in London this summer…
For our August guide, we’re highlighting some of the exhibitions opening in London this month, as well as the many excellent shows coming to a close…
To mark its 25th anniversary as one of London’s leading cultural institutions, Somerset House will throw open its doors on 13 and 14 September 2025 for Step Inside 25, a celebratory weekend of free interactive events, performances, exhibitions and workshops…
This week in London, experience the timeless ballet Giselle performed by the National Ballet of Japan and a powerful live show where poet Caleb Femi and musician Jordan Stephens blend words and beats. Explore experimental sound at Signals, groove to jazz at JAZZ RE:FEST 2025, and enjoy the orchestral magic of the BBC Proms…
Noreen, a newly opened Middle Eastern restaurant in St Christopher’s Place, offers a standout dining experience with bold flavours and beautifully presented dishes. Surrounded by the charm of cobbled streets, it’s a place worth seeking out…
UTS presents a direct challenge to how the sport defines excellence, demands performance, and connects with those watching. It stands on the brink of becoming something far more influential than a passing novelty…