In a bid for sustainability, Games Workshop announced they are eliminating shopping bags for customers from its stores across England.
That’s right—no more plastic bags to haul your latest Space Marine squad or that precious new paint set home. Instead, it’s BYOB: Bring Your Own Bag.
Games Workshop Says No More Shopping Bags!
In a recent Facebook post, Games Workshop announced the change, highlighting their commitment to reducing plastic waste. The post reads,
“Please be aware that we are in the process of phasing out our plastic carrier bags here at Games Workshop, so once our current stocks run out we will not be replacing them. So please make sure you bring your own bags with you when you visit us in future.”
Talk about bold moves! Recently two guys casually swiped thousands of dollars worth of Warhammer miniatures from Games Workshop stores using nothing but shopping bags as well.
Some commenters would probably try to connect some dots here, but we think GW dicontinueing shopping bags a less than a year after the thefts is just a coincidence, and probably has more to do with a relatively new law in the UK.
The Big Picture: UK Plastic Bag Law
Before you start grumbling about having to juggle your miniatures and paints like a Warhammer wizard, let’s put this into perspective. This move by Games Workshop aligns with the UK’s broader efforts to cut down on single-use plastics.
Back in 2015, the UK government introduced a law that required large retailers to charge at least 5p for single-use plastic carrier bags. This was a genius move to reduce plastic waste, and it worked! According to the UK Gov website, since the law was introduced, there’s been a dramatic drop in plastic bag usage—down by more than 90% in major supermarkets.
In 2021, the charge was doubled to 10p and extended to all retailers, regardless of size. The idea is simple: make people think twice before grabbing yet another plastic bag that’ll likely end up in a landfill or, worse, the ocean.
Games Workshop’s Green Initiative
So, what does this mean for your local Games Workshop store? Well, for one, it means they’re stepping up and doing their part to reduce plastic waste. Sure, remembering to bring a bag might be a tad inconvenient, but think of the upside.
You get to sport a snazzy reusable bag that shows off your dedication not just to the Warhammer universe but to the actual universe. Plus, it’s a great conversation starter.
Imagine this: “Oh, this old thing? Just my environmentally-friendly Warhammer bag. No big deal.”
Sprue Recycling Efforts
Games Workshop isn’t just stopping at plastic bags. They’ve also ramped up their sprue recycling efforts. Sprues are the plastic frames that hold all the bits and pieces of your miniatures before assembly. These often get tossed in the bin after you’ve clipped out your parts, creating a significant amount of plastic waste.
Games Workshop has already rolled out a recycling program. You can bring your leftover sprues back to the store, and they are recycled and repurposed, reducing waste and promoting sustainability.
Community Reactions
The Warhammer community has had mixed reactions, as expected. Some fans are all in, praising the move and already planning how to fit their new reusable bag into their hobby hauls. Others are a bit more skeptical and worried about the practicalities of lugging around their latest purchases without the convenience of a plastic bag.
One fan commented, “Great move! Now I just need to remember to bring my bag. Maybe I’ll paint it to match my army.” Another quipped, “As long as I can still carry my Dreadnoughts, I’m game.”
The Final Roll
In the grand scheme of things, this is a positive step forward. It’s a small change that contributes to a bigger impact. By ditching plastic bags, Games Workshop is aligning with UK laws and setting a green example for other hobby stores. So next time you head out to pick up that new codex or a box of Space Marines, remember to bring your own bag.
And who knows? Maybe this will start a new trend. Personalized, army-themed reusable bags, anyone? Now, there’s a hobby project worth embarking on.
What do you think about Games Workshop continuing to reduce plastic waste?
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About the Author: Rob Baer
Rob Baer
Job Title: Managing Editor
Founded Spikey Bits in 2009
Socials: Rob Baer on Facebook and @catdaddymbg on X
About Rob Baer: Founder, Publisher, & Managing Editor of Spikey Bits, the leading tabletop gaming news website focused on the hobby side of wargaming and miniatures.
Rob also co-founded and currently hosts the Long War Podcast, which has over 350 episodes and focuses on tabletop miniatures gaming, specializing in Warhammer 40k. and spent six years writing for Bell of Lost Souls.
Every year, along with his co-hosts, he helps host the Long War 40k Doubles Tournament at Adepticon and the Long War 40k Doubles at Las Vegas Open, which attracts over 350 players from around the world.
Rob has won many Warhammer 40k Tournaments over the years, including multiple first-place finishes in Warhammer 40k Grand Tournaments over the years and even winning 1st place at the Adepticon 40k Team Tournament.
With over 30 years of experience in retail and distribution, Rob knows all the products and exactly which ones are the best. As a member of GAMA (Game Manufacturers Association), he advocates for gaming stores and manufacturers in these difficult times, always looking for the next big thing to feature for the miniatures hobby, helping everyone to provide the value consumers want.
While he’s played every edition of Warhammer 40k and Warhammer Fantasy (since 5th Edition) and has been hobbying on miniatures since the 1980s, Titans of all sizes will always be his favorite! It’s even rumored that his hobby vault rivals the Solemnance Galleries, containing rulebooks filled with lore from editions long past, ancient packs of black-bordered Magic Cards, and models made of both pewter and resin.
