A 5p bag charge was introduced to all large stores last week in an attempt to reduce the 7.6 billion plastic bags that are handed out for free every year in the UK. Ministers think that this new charge will stop people using plastic bags, which can be damaging to the environment when they accumulate as litter. Pretty simple right? Ha. If only. #plasticbagchaos took the city by storm last week. And people had a LOT to say on the matter. Naturally.
1. The Daily Mail reported events with characteristic objectivity and total conformity to the truth.
Hilariously hysterical front page story from the Daily Mail today. #plasticbagchaos pic.twitter.com/E38pstiBGP
— Craig Jones (@CraigAJ84) October 5, 2015
2. Whilst scenes of anarchy were spotted at Westminster.
Live image from helicopter over Westminster. Send help! #plasticbagchaos pic.twitter.com/v0CN3FnYPd — Steve Doherty (@SteveDoherty1) October 5, 2015
3. And then things got really nasty.
Unconfirmed rumours of families killing and hollowing out beloved pets to use as means of carrying food. Harrowing scenes. #plasticbagchaos
— James Ball (@jamesrbuk) October 5, 2015
4. Desperate attempts were made to escape without paying.
Devastating scenes of terror today in England #plasticbagchaos pic.twitter.com/BEnQwkIKWf — Josh Boffin (@iamjoshboffin) October 5, 2015
5. Whilst others racked their brains for alternative ways to carry their shopping.
Plastic bag alternatives: – cardboard box – briefcase – inside shirt – swimming cap – butternut squash (seeds removed) #plasticbagchaos
— Mary Hamilton (@newsmary) October 5, 2015
6. Orifices were filled.
Joke’s on them, they haven’t seen how much shopping I can fit in my mouth #plasticbagchaos — Hipster Death (@gshowitt) October 5, 2015
7. And people had to make some serious changes to their daily routine.
Unseen consequences of the plastic bag ban in this letter to The Times pic.twitter.com/4TKvF0Apnp
— Laurie Allsopp (@laurieallsopp) October 8, 2015
8. Some people realised the profit potential.
The best thing about the 5p plastic bag charge is that the cupboard next to my sink is now worth £672,348. — James Martin (@Pundamentalism) October 5, 2015
9. Whilst others got resourceful.
“Why do you keep all of those plastic bags in that bigger plastic bag in the cupboard under your stairs?” They said. Look who’s laughing now
— innocent drinks (@innocent) October 5, 2015
10. It was a great day for entrepreneurs.
What a perfect day to start my 4p plastic bag business. — Stuart Heritage (@stuheritage) October 5, 2015
11. Some people literally became millionaires over night.
The best thing about the 5p plastic bag charge is that the cupboard next to my sink is now worth £672,348.
— James Martin (@Pundamentalism) October 5, 2015
12. And those that didn’t want to fork out the extra 5p… Took a trolley home instead.
Why pay 5p for a bag when you can get a whole trolley for £1? pic.twitter.com/T0vCGmysql — The Fastest SpermⓂ️ (@J0RDLEE) October 10, 2015
Feature photo credit: Mashable