So on goes my slightly unhealthy obessession with bags, the plastic variety this time.
Fortunately Lite Green are here to get us talking about this issue again with their poll about whether plastic bags should be taxed. They also provide some very interesting facts about what supermarkets are doing (or not more like) to ease the problem.
Visit the Lite Green website and have your say www.litegreen.com
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March 9th, 2007 at 1:01 pm
I was thinking about plastic bags again just yesterday and was wondering about doing a little investigation – finding out how shop assistants react to you having your own bag etc.
For example, the other day I went to an independent shop (lots of organic produce) and even though I already had my bag out open ready to put the goods into, they started putting them into a plastic bag automatically. I said ‘I have my own bag’ and the guy said ‘oh yes, sorry!’ and gave me the item. But then for the next item he went to put it in a new plastic bag too! So I had to say again, ‘I have my own bag’… it gets so tiring!
I think shop assistants need their auto pilots retrained to ‘don’t offer bag unless asked’!.
What reactions do you get when you go in with your own bag?
March 9th, 2007 at 5:26 pm
Well I am so glad to hear you are obsessed with bags because I need help! First of all, it’s my assumption that paper is better than plastic, because plastic isn’t acceptable for recycling where I am (northern California). Sound right to you?
Second of all, in response to the comment about training people at grocery stores not to offer a bag: I suggest having the bagger ask, “Do you need a bag?” That seems like a good compromise. Because that’s a question we should always be asking ourselves!
March 10th, 2007 at 3:41 pm
Yep, paper bags can be recycled but the current
plastic ones used in shops and supermarkets can’t.
The other thing about supermerkets of course is all the packaging around food (especially fruit & veg). As far as I understand there are types of packaging that are biodegradable and can be put in your composter at home but they aren’t being used much in shops yet.
The wholefoods shop that I go to never ask if you want a bag if you’re just buying a few small things. If people do need a bag then they give provide second hand ones which have been donated to them.
March 10th, 2007 at 5:28 pm
The beauty with paper bags is they at least can be shredded and composted unlike plastic. At the recycling project where I work we provide carrier bags that have been donated by the public and we also give people ruck sacks and other cloth bags that we have in stock if they are on their bike or have bought a lot of stuff. On a positive note someone I know who works in a shop has commented that this year they have seen a real shift in attitudes and more people have their own bags compared to this time last year.
March 16th, 2007 at 6:20 pm
Kate, I really appreciate that you explained how paper bags can be shredded and composted. That really helps solve the dilemna of whether to ask for paper or plastic. Meanwhile, I notice that the health food store where I shop offers a 10-cent discount if you re-use the paper shopping bag they give you! Cool idea, eh?