A customer recently tested whether supermarkets still honour their promises to replace old 'bags for life' and found that two major chains fell short. After many large retailers such as Asda, Sainsbury's, Tesco, M&S, Morrisons, Waitrose and Aldi phased out thin plastic bags for environmental reasons, they introduced more durable carriers branded as 'bags for life', pledging to replace them free of charge when worn out.
Reddit User's Experiment
In a new Reddit thread, one user described trying to verify if the replacement pledge was still active, but was let down by two stores. The user wrote: 'Do Sainsbury's replace bags for life? I'm talking about the plastic ones, which used to cost 10p but are usually over 30p now. Over the last few weeks, I've had Morrisons and Aldi both say they don't replace these anymore, and you just need to buy another. This is despite the (I assume year old) bag I have saying on it “Please reuse this bag whenever you shop and when it is worn out we will replace it for free”. Anyone know if it is a change in policy or if I've just been unlucky with the supermarkets I've used recently?'
Responses from Other Shoppers
One person replied: 'Yep, my local Sainsbury's even has signs up saying this.' Another added: 'Trying to make up for charging 40p.' A shopper shared: 'I replaced mine recently at Sainsbury's too, the server guy was fine. But at a different supermarket I would just not ask, grab a new bag leave your old one and if anyone has a problem then explain you just exchanged your old one. Often staff are told they must do certain things but actually they don't agree or care and will just ignore policy unless you go up to them and specifically ask.'
Which Supermarkets Still Replace Bags for Life?
Among the major chains, Asda, Sainsbury's, Tesco and M&S continue to offer free replacements. Morrisons and Aldi, however, have discontinued the policy. Sainsbury's confirmed that the rule remains in place across its 21,500 UK stores, offering 40p 'bags for life'. Sainsbury's has long championed environmental policies, being the first major UK supermarket to remove single-use plastic bags from fresh produce and in-store bakery aisles. Their reusable bags, made from 100% recycled content, feature iconic designs like the 'I'm strong and sturdy' elephant or the 'I'm nuts about recycling' squirrel.
Tesco introduced its bag for life scheme in 2017 for standard flexiloop plastic carrier bags, made from 94% recycled plastic and sold for 10p (originally 5p). These bags are replaceable for free if damaged. A code 'E0228/EPM/SV01-1005' is printed on the base.
Official Policies
- Asda: 'If your Bag for Life breaks or gets damaged, we will happily replace it free of charge.'
- Sainsbury's: 'We offer reusable Bags for Life, made from 100% recycled content. When they wear down, we replace them for free and recycle the old bag.'
- Tesco: 'If your Tesco Bag for Life becomes worn out, bring it to the checkout and exchange it for a new one, free of charge.'
- M&S: 'You can return your Bag for Life for replacement or recycling when they wear out.'
- Waitrose: Replaces a bag for life if it is no longer usable due to damage, disrepair or spoilage.
- Morrisons: No free replacements. Morrisons scrapped plastic Bags for Life and replaced them with paper alternatives.
- Aldi: No free replacements. Aldi does not offer a policy for swapping old Bags for Life for new ones.
