EVER wondered why McDonalds charge 5p for a paper bag?

It appears you aren’t the only one as West Fife franchise owner Adam Buchanan-Smith says it’s one of the most common questions he gets asked.

And the Press joined in after a reader expressed their concerns over the 5p charges.

It seems different laws for each country across the UK are causing confusion for customers.

Lynne Hill asked: “Whilst understanding why we pay 5p for a plastic bag, we always wondered why McDonalds charged for a paper bag.

“My husband contacted them and after chasing them several times, received a reply. When you buy any food that is not wrapped, ie fries as they come in an open sleeve, you should not be charged.

“So, any takeaway containing fries should not incur the 5p charge!

“Are they passing the money to the government or keeping it? This company has millions of customers and should be doing what is right!”

While across the UK, a charge applies for single-use plastic bags, in Scotland the charge also applies to paper bags.

For McDonalds, all profits from the levy go to Ronald McDonald House Charities, an independent charity that provides free ‘home away from home’ accommodation for families with children in hospital.

In Scotland, the restaurant chain has raised £3.5 million from the levy, which will be used to build a facility next to the new Edinburgh children’s hospital.

Adam told the Press: “We get a lot of questions on single-use bags.

“Every country in the UK is different. When customers go down south they do not pay and then they come back over the border and are asked for 5p, so I can see how they are confused.

“People think we are taking their money but I can assure customers that it’s Scottish legislation that we are adhering to.

“Legislation says we can do whatever we so wish with the money and it goes straight to the Ronald McDonald charity.

“A lot of companies apply an admin fee but we don’t do that; 100 per cent of that levy goes to the brilliant work of the charity.

“I think a lot of people are sceptical of big companies.

“But I’m glad that customers ask this question because it’s made me wonder what other companies are doing with their money.

“I always ask companies now where their money goes.”