Zara is introducing a new environmental fee to Irish stores

A good cause.

Zara shoppers are in for another charge as the company has announced they are introducing new environmental initiatives. The retailer has introduced a fee, starting from Monday, for Irish shoppers that will see a 15c charge for a paper bag and a 25c charge for each envelope they use from now on. This move comes as the shop aims to encourage its customers to use reusable bags when shopping. They then added that the money used for these bags would be reinvested in social and environmental work. A notice that has been placed in Zara stores across the country reads: "Please note that from 23rd May 2022, ZARA will be charging 15 cents for each of our 100% recycled paper bags and 25 cents for each envelope. "The equivalent value of the proceeds will be fully invested in social and environmental initiatives. "We encourage you to bring a reusable bag when shopping with us. "Thank you for your cooperation and helping us to reduce waste." This news comes after Zara announced earlier this month that Irish shoppers will now have to pay to return online purchases for the first time. Up until now, customers could return an item to a drop off point like the Post Office free of charge. Now, sending an unwanted product back to the company will cost €1.95. The new charge was implemented on 5 May. Zara's policy states: "Returns of orders placed from 05.05.2022 onwards will have a cost of 1.95 EUR, that will be deducted from the refunded amount. "You have 30 days from the shipping date of your order to return your purchase from Zara.com.  The items must have all their labels and be in perfect condition. "You can return items from different orders in the same shipment. In your email, you will receive the same number of return labels as boxes you are set to return. "To send the package, follow the instructions on the return label and take it to any of the indicated courier drop points."