Sainsbury's has doubled the cost of its plastic bags to 20p in a move that has left shoppers furious.
The supermarket giant said it has increased the price as part of an effort to reduce its plastic footprint and encourage customers to get into the habit of re-using their bags.
Sainsbury's said there is an incentive to cut plastic use by more than 50 per cent in five years, with the profits going to good causes.
It said the 20p price is "fair" but shoppers who were angry over the move claimed it was "daylight robbery" and accused the supermarket of "profiting from forgetfulness".
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A number of customers told how they had no idea the price had increased as of this week until they got home and checked their receipt.
A shopper wrote on Twitter : "Sainsbury’s bags have been increased from 10p to 20p. Why? Only noticed when I checked the receipt when I got home."
Shoppers have been left furious as Sainsbury's has doubled the cost of its plastic bags to 20p in a move dubbed 'day light robbery' and 'profiting from forgetfulness'.
Another customer wrote: "Sainsbury’s plastic bags have stayed the exact same since they became 5p so SOMEONE needs to tell me why their bags are now 20p?"
One tweeted: "I get ‘saving the planet’. So offer a paper bag alternatively at 10p, stop profiteering from my forgetfulness!"
Another complained: “Guessing they saw Morrisons get away with it and decided they wanted a bit of that action too!”
And another added: "You're right, you will cut Sainsbury's plastic consumption as I wont be shopping there anymore."
Sainsbury's wrote back to customers, saying: "This change supports our strategy of reducing, reusing and replacing plastic more.
"If Sainsbury's witness sales increase, then we'll continue to channel any bag for life profit to supporting good causes."
A spokesperson for the supermarket told the Sun: "We think 20p is fair. We’re really hoping it will help reduce our plastic usage."
Supermarkets axed single use carrier bags in 2015 after the Government introduced a 5p charge.
Morrisons began charging 30p per bag in August. Asda’s price went from 9p to 15p in July.
Rival Tesco is still charging 10p for a bag.
In September, Sainsbury's removed plastic bags from its bakery, fruit and veg aisles and introduced a 30p drawstring carrier.
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