Free plastic bags from KFC

Hitchhiker's Guide to...

Every time I go into KFC to get a meal from them they either offer me a plastic bag, or automatically put the meal in a plastic bag. There is no charge added to the meal for this.

[Obviously this isn't for if you just get something like a burger from them, but only for the larger meals they sell.]

Surely this is against the regulations on charging for plastic bags?

It's not just in one store either, have noticed it in a few KFCs.

It really bugs me. If it is against the regulations, how would I report them?

cast_iron

I don't think it matters, and doubt any law is being broken here.

The retailers must file tax returns for all the bags they order in (AFAIR), so that's their end covered for all the bags. What they actually do with them then becomes largely irrelevant. So, effectively, they pay the 22c for you.

Kimbot

This is correct, they can foot the bill themselves or get you to pay for the bags!! TBH its the retailers that have to pay revenue not the general public!!

Hitchhiker's Guide to...

oh, that's a bit disappointing. Wish they would give me the option of saving 22c on my meal rather than giving me a crappy plastic bag...

Kimbot

Well you are saving the 22c cos you ain't paying it so lets just say your are paying 22c for the meal and paying for the bag!!

cast_iron

Roundtower2 wrote:

oh, that's a bit disappointing. Wish they would give me the option of saving 22c on my meal rather than giving me a crappy plastic bag...

Unless the meals went up 7c recently or 15c when the levy first came in, I can't see how you can say you are paying for it directly (I don't think there are any, say, €6.99 meals upped to €7.21 for example).

Since most meals probably don't get the bag, and you often do (with no additional charge), I really can't see where you are coming from.

Hitchhiker's Guide to...

Then, maybe all this thread proves is that i'm turning into a grumpy old man before my time!

/get off my lawn

joolsveer

I think that bags for hot meals are exempt from the tax.

ircoha

joolsveer wrote:

I think that bags for hot meals are exempt from the tax.

This is the relevant legislation

http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/2001/en/si/0605.html


Excepted bags
5. The following classes of plastic bags are excepted from the definition of a plastic bag -

(a) plastic bags solely used to contain-

(i) fresh fish and fresh fish products,

(ii) fresh meat and fresh meat products, or

(iii) fresh poultry and fresh poultry products

provided that such bags are not greater in dimension than 225mm in width (exclusive of any gussets), by 345mm in depth (inclusive of any gussets), by 450mm in length, (inclusive of any handles);

(b) plastic bags solely used to contain the products referred to in paragraph (a) where such products are contained in packaging, (including a bag), provided that such plastic bags are not greater in dimension than the dimensions referred to in paragraph (a);

(c) plastic bags solely used to contain-

(i) fruit, nuts or vegetables,

(ii) confectionery,

(iii) dairy products,

(iv) cooked food, whether cold or hot, or

(v) ice

provided that such products are not otherwise contained in packaging and where such bags are not greater in dimension than the dimensions referred to in paragraph (a);

(d) plastic bags used to contain goods or products sold:

(i) on board a ship or aircraft used for carrying passengers for reward, or

(ii) in an area of a port or airport to which intending passengers are denied access unless in possession of a valid ticket or boarding card, for the purposes of carrying the goods on board the ship or aircraft referred to in subparagraph (i);

(e) plastic bags designed for re-use, which are used to contain goods or products and which are sold to customers for a sum of not less than 70 cent each.

cast_iron

ircoha wrote:

...

(iv) cooked food, whether cold or hot, or

(v) ice

provided that such products are not otherwise contained in packaging and where such bags are not greater in dimension than the dimensions referred to in paragraph (a);

I think that may be an incorrect interpretation. For the likes of take-aways, etc, surely they would be contained in other packaging.

I suspect they mean the likes of cooked ham slices, etc. from a deli counter which would have no other packaging.

And think the (KFC, etc) bag dimensions may also exceed the limits allowed.

Demonique

Ask if they have paper bags

If they don't, then write to KFC Ireland and demand that they give the choice of paper bags

cast_iron

cast_iron wrote:

I think that may be an incorrect interpretation. For the likes of take-aways, etc, surely they would be contained in other packaging.

Don't forget that the food is in containers (not packaging) that are not sealed. Whenever I get a Chinese or Indian takaway, there is always some spillage within the bag.

Takaway Pizza is packaged rather than contained as the box can be handled without risk of leakage (usually).