Same supermarkets are now also mentioning "inflation" as part of their weekly discount brochures, which is not something I think I've ever seen them do before.
So I've gotten used to reusing the paper bags, which now cost a few cents.
It's funny that you're still using plastic bags.
Really not that out of the ordinary; Back then plenty of supermarkets still had "cardboard corners".
People who bought stuff in bulk could dispose of the boxes there, while people who forgot to bring a bag could take some boxes from the corner to carry their groceries.
They can still be found in discounters in the more lower income areas but have become noticeably rarer.
I think they're a scam. They cost orders of magnitude more than paper bags. There is hardly anything people like better than rationalizations for spending more rather than less to save the environment. Pull out the magic word "externalities", it can do anything!
Never thought I'd be supplying my mom with cat food, but here we are.
[0]: https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institut...
Apparently a combination of phasing out plastic bags while there's a pandemic related supply shortage of paper. At least that's what German news are saying, no more details as I can't find anything without a paywall.