The new 60c charge for paper bags at Brown Thomas has been branded 'ludicrous' by some customers.
Brown Thomas Arnotts brought in the charge last week in partnership with the charity Crann – Trees for Ireland.
The retail group says the new fee will help the charity plant 100,000 trees across Ireland over the next decade.
The charge applies in all Brown Thomas, BT2, Planet Beauty and Arnotts stores.
The company says customers can opt for the Brown Thomas or Arnotts bags in three sizes or they can use their own paper bags.
Caller Lynn told Lunchtime Live she is against charging for paper bags.
"I think it's daft," she said. "It's technically free advertising."
"People proudly walk down the street with their Dunnes Stores bag put into their Brown Thomas bag.
"It's free advertising and I just think it seems ludicrous.
"I wasn't aware of the contribution to the charity - I think that's a lovely idea - but why don't they just do that themselves rather than expect us to do it for them?"
A shopper carries Brown Thomas and Arnotts bags, 24-12-21. Image: Leah Farrell / RollingNews.ieLynn said she believes the move is a cynical one by the retailer.
"The plastic bag [levy] is completely different because there's a whole environmental story around that – but paper bags are by their very nature environmentally friendly," she said.
"People proudly wear their paper bags and reuse them so I just feel it's very cynical of Brown Thomas to say, 'We're doing this great initiative but in fact you're all paying for it'.
"I will choose who I will make a charitable contribution to myself.
"The [Brown Thomas] bag is a powerful advertising tool and now they're expecting us to pay for that advertising tool".
'A change in behaviour'
TU Dublin lecturer in retail management Damien O'Reilly told the show he thinks it's a good move.
"Many retailers already charge for paper bags," he said.
"These bags cost money and... we should be trying to save the environment but what's better is that we bring reusable bags [with us].
"You can actually buy a bag for life, as you can in the supermarkets, in Brown Thomas.
"You'd bring your Brown Thomas bag in and do your shopping with it - so it's a change in consumer behaviour".
Mr O'Reilly said there's always push-back to new initiatives.
"People said that the plastic bag tax wouldn't work, they said a smoking [ban] in pubs wouldn't work," he said.
"These initiatives have worked over the years and it is good for the environment.
"I think it's kind of the way forward; we need to be doing these incremental changes, all of these help".
'Smaller or better-quality bags'
Asked if other retailers will follow suit, Mr O'Reilly said he doesn't think so.
"I note that [Penneys] certainly don't charge at the moment and given that it's a low-cost provider maybe they think a charge on the bags would be too much so they incorporate it into their profits," he said.
"What we want to see is maybe smaller bags or better-quality bags that can be reused and recycled.
"I can't see other companies doing it [like] Brown Thomas.
"Brown Thomas is not a cheap store so if you're spending €30+, spending an extra 60c on a bag seems to make very little difference.
"Whereas if you're spending €3 on a top in Primark and an extra 60c [for a bag] is an extra 20% which you weren't intending spending.
"I think it depends on the retailer themselves and I think they need to gauge this from their customers".
'A luxury bag'
Caller Mary Jane said people are just taking bags to put them in their recycling bin.
"They're a luxury bag and you're purchasing a luxury item," she said.
"I would imagine you'll see canvas bags with the Brown Thomas logo on them that you'll be able to buy if you so wish.
"I just try not to take a bag when I'm out... You're taking a bag to walk around town with it to bring it home and put in your recycling bin.
"I just think it's kind of ludicrous."
Mary Jane said she makes an exception when buying gift vouchers at Christmas time.
Brown Thomas Arnotts Chief Executive Donald McDonald said the move "underscores our dedication to the environment and highlights the critical need for afforestation in Ireland".
The company adds that all profits will be invested in planting trees in Ireland.
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