Tesco under fire for new 10p charge - shoppers furious at ‘pathetic’ pilot
The supermarket has not yet confirmed which stores are taking part or how many
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Tesco is now charging some customers 10p for hangers after launching a trial at certain stores in the UK.
The supermarket chain announced the pilot scheme is taking place at selected stores that sell their F&F clothing range.
The scheme aims to monitor whether customers will pay an extra 10p for a hanger or refuse and leave it behind.
Tesco said only a few stores are taking part in the trial so not all customers will be charged when buying clothing.
The supermarket has not yet confirmed which stores are taking part or how many.
The trial aims to reduce the chain's plastic use as people may not opt to pay the additional charge, meaning hangers can be reused.
The scheme is reportedly going well with an increase seen in the number of hangers being reused
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The scheme is reportedly going well with an increase seen in the number of hangers being reused.
Tesco customers at participating stores have since noticed the charge and taken to social media to share their views.
One Reddit user said: "So, was in Tesco today, got some swimming clothes for the kids and my wife got a dress.
“Went through the scan as you shop and paid, went to get the tags taken off and was told it's 10p for a clothes hanger or they could take it for us.”
Other customers agreed, adding: “Tesco charging 10p if you want to keep their hangers now! Next there will be an entrance fee.”
Another said: "If this is a new thing that is actually pathetic of Tesco to do that."
However, others supported the extra fee stating “surely a good thing" to help stop plastic waste.
They said: “The only people who would take the hanger were those needing it which would reduce plastic waste.”
Another added: "It’s a trial. They are trying to discourage people from taking hangers as they usually just get chucked anyway.
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“If Tesco can keep them they can reuse them and therefore don't have to produce more. Little planet saving steps."
In response to the feedback, a Tesco spokesperson said that the supermarket giant aims to cut down on plastic waste.
This follows the expansion of a hanger reuse scheme already being tested by Tesco, which encourages customers to leave behind hangers they don't need, leading to an uptick in the number of hangers being recycled by the store.