Independent shops in Hackney have pledged to stop offering customers free plastic bags in a bid to help the environment.
New legislation came into force on Monday requiring all large retailers in England to charge 5p for plastic bags.
Although small shops were exempt from this legislation, Hackney Council invited local stores to introduce a charge for plastic bags and donate the proceeds to charity.
Thirty-six shops have signed up so far, but the new charge has caused “big arguments,” according to Savaz Yildaz, a shopkeeper at Amhurst Food Centre.
Mr Yildaz told The Hackney Post,: “We have had big arguments with some customers already. But people just have to get used to it.
“The problem around here is that a lot of people want their food double bagged but then will refuse to pay the 10p. I am sure it will be fine soon but for now it is going to cause us big headaches for sure.”
Palm 2, on Lower Clapton Road, has also signed the pledge. Suleyman Solak, who works behind the counter, welcomed the new charge, and said the shop would also be donating the proceeds to charity: “I think we will do a different charity each month, then we can help lots of different people.”
“Some people have got a problem with the charge at the minute but soon they will get used to it. I think in a year or two there will be no plastic bags at all.”
