Walmart will ban shoppers from an everyday practice that could hit millions of customers with a hidden fee

WALMART will soon ban shoppers from an everyday practice that could hit millions of customers with a hidden fee.

The multinational retail corporation announced a major policy change that will require shoppers to bring their own bags to stores in specific states.

Customers who are unaware of the policy, or who simply forget to bring a bag to the store, will be charged a small fee when purchasing a bag during check-out.

Walmart's recent change will reportedly be put into effect in 2023, ahead of a new Colorado law that will ban single-use plastic bags beginning in 2024.

Signs were seen outside a Colorado Walmart warning customers of the change, KRDO reports.

But the signs, which informed customers that a ban on plastic bags would be initiated on September 15, have reportedly been removed.

Colorado’s state legislature has implemented a single-use plastic ban set to start on January 1, 2024 and a 10 cent fee will be applied to each bag purchased at the store.

Plastic bag ban

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, among the cities with plastic bag bans and fees include: Boulder, Colorado; Montgomery County, Maryland; Portland, Maine; New York, New York; and Washington, DC.

Stores in these states required businesses to charge a five or 10 cent fee for each bag purchased.

A Walmart spokesperson told KRDO: "Walmart has been exploring alternatives to single-use carryout bags from our stores since 2021 while prioritizing our customers’ convenience and product safety, including through the Beyond the Bag Consortium.

“In the US, we have transitioned from plastic bags in Vermont, Maine and New Jersey and, starting early 2023, we expect to eliminate single-use carryout bags in Colorado as well with reusable bags available for purchase at multiple prices. 

“For in-store and curbside delivery, we will continue to encourage our customers to bring their own bags and/or purchase reusable bags and will be switching to reusable paper bags for delivery," the spokesperson continued. 

“Walmart remains committed to identifying solutions that are scalable, convenient and sustainable.”

For example, Vermont stores are making sure they have reusable bag options available for customers who don’t bring bags to the store, and the options start at 50 cents.

"Freezer bags will also be available for purchase, and stores are stocking up on baskets, totes and even wheeled carts for customers who take public transportation or walk," Walmart explained.

Walmart said it strives to "break the link between consumption and waste," with hopes of making the economy "more circular," meaning less things get thrown out after usage.

The company explained in a corporate announcement: "We have set a goal to achieve zero waste in own operations in the U.S. and Canada, by 2025, and we’re working with suppliers to use less packaging, design for recyclability and improve waste reduction systems."

Other possible changes at Walmart

Meanwhile, millions of Walmart customers who shop online could face paying more, according to a leaked memo.

A document, seen by Business Insider, has suggested shoppers may have to pay for higher-priced substitute groceries they receive when a particular product is unavailable.

Walmart customers were previously shielded if their item wasn’t available.

They would only pay the price of the product that they had originally ordered as opposed to the price of the substitute.

It’s reported that the retailer’s pricing policy will be updated in weeks.

The document reportedly stated: “Moving forward customers will pay the list price for specific substitution items made on their order.”

Additionally, customers will have greater control over what items to receive as substitutions, bosses say.

And they will have the choice to opt-out entirely of receiving swaps or on a product-by-product basis.

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