Tesco Introduces New 10p Hanger Charge & Shoppers Aren't Happy

• Tesco introduces a 10p charge for clothes hangers in a sustainability effort.
• The initiative aims to reduce plastic waste but has met with mixed reactions from customers.
• Environmental groups commend Tesco for taking steps to lessen plastic consumption.

In an attempt to tread lightly on the planet, Tesco's latest move – charging a dime for each clothes hanger – has some shoppers up in arms and others nodding in approval. It seems the supermarket colossus is testing the waters with this initiative in a handful of stores, aiming to dial down on plastic waste. But, as you might expect, this has stirred quite the pot among patrons.

Alice Grahns at The Sun dove into the details, revealing that the announcement left many a shopper bewildered and a bit peeved. Voices from the depths of Facebook and Reddit echoed through the internet, ranging from outright disbelief to predictions of entrance fees in the near future. However, amidst the uproar, some voices of reason emerged, applauding the effort for its environmental merit. The logic? Fewer hangers tossed aside means less demand for plastic production, a win for Mother Earth.

The guidelines are simple: snag a hanger with your new threads for an extra 10p, or leave it behind for the next cycle of use. While Tesco keeps mum on the exact number of participating stores, they hint at promising results, with a noticeable uptick in hanger recycling.

Echoing this sentiment, Lauren Weir from the Environmental Investigation Agency threw her support behind the initiative, highlighting it as a stride towards curbing our plastic footprint. Yet, she's keen on seeing broader actions against the tide of single-use plastics, a sentiment many eco-conscious shoppers would share.

Last year, Matalan introduced a similar hanger charge, sparking its own wave of customer pushback. But as we navigate these changes, it's clear that the conversation around sustainability is evolving, with supermarkets like Tesco leading the charge in various ways – from plant-based teabags to ditching plastic forks for wooden alternatives.

Tom Church, Co-Founder of LatestDeals.co.uk, commented, "While Tesco's hanger charge has certainly ruffled some feathers, it's an interesting step towards sustainability. Balancing environmental efforts with customer satisfaction is always a challenge, but it's encouraging to see companies exploring new ways to reduce waste."