Sainsburys going bag free

[Graphista]

Just received email from Sainsburys saying they're going bagless with deliveries.

I GET that this is supposed to be a "good thing" for the environment (though quite honestly I notice they're doing fuck all about individual packaging which I suspect would make a bigger difference!) BUT for me this HUGELY problematic.

I have OCD and so for me my groceries being in bags just feels a lot more hygienic. Than scrabbling about loose in crates that from what I can see are rarely cleaned!

In addition I live in the west of Scotland - it rains here pretty much most of the time! Already when it's wet weather the grocery bags are sometimes soaked but at least the individual products are dry!

I'm also physically disabled which means I already have to take 2-3 hours to "prep" to receive delivery of groceries (stretching exercises, bath, time for painkillers to kick in).

And there's more...

My flat is TINY the kitchen particularly so! It's a HALF galley so only one person can fit in there at a time (and even that's at a push! Dd and I have had to learn how to move in this kitchen so we don't constantly bump ourselves on cupboard edges etc).

With my disability I can just about manage carrying 2 carrier bags into kitchen at a time and placing on the floor when delivery comes. Drivers already get impatient with me!

I have sod all counter space (0.75m X 0.75m) to place items on, a few are normally placed on the cooker too but because of the hob shape only certain items fit. The ocd means I cannot put stuff on the floor absolutely NO WAY I could do that!

Fridge stuff takes careful management as small fridge and to fit everything in on fridge day is like setting up a Jenga game without a box!

IF I were to insist driver simply had to wait while I put everything away properly, well that normally takes me 60/90 mins!!

I have NOWHERE I can store crates (even collapsed) or bags for life

What the hell am I supposed to do?!

This is causing me GREAT anxiety so PLEASE be mindful of that in replies I would appreciate that.

i bet i can guess that too.

Sounds like you've got it covered. Can we assume this is now sorted and your happy?

Dd is going to try and get me bags for life and crates locally at the weekend. But she couldn't get any the other day as sold out in the few shops we have here. So hoping she is more successful this time.

I've cleared a space next to my bed where I think I can store them but depends on size (particularly with crates) bags I will use one bag as a holding bag and place the other bags inside it upright with the "dirty" bottoms of the bags carefully placed so they only touch the bottom of the holding bag.

It adds yet another level to all I have to do on a delivery day.

It starts with physio exercises, then I have a warm bath to "loosen me up", then I have something to eat so I can take my painkillers, as they start to kick in I get dressed, I prep the kitchen (clear and clean the counter, tidy cupboards etc, get rid of any expired goods (mainly from fridge), then I wait for the delivery. Usually delivery driver comes, puts crates in hall, I empty the crates 2 bags at a time looping them over my wrists as my grip isn't complete reliable, deposit bags in kitchen in specified places (not just cos of OCD but so not a trip hazard when I'm trying to get to cupboards and fridge freezer), thank driver, sign the electronic clipboard thingy, driver leaves. I usually do a few stretches at this point to help. Put the fridge and frozen goods away, rest and stretch, then put away the "ambient"
Stuff as much as I can. Dd is taller and more mobile than me so it makes sense things only she uses are stored on top shelves so if she's working I leave these on the counter to be put away when she gets in, if she's not working I call her through to do that when I've finished everything. I also leave things like her toiletries there for her to put in her room (which is a bloody midden even if I didn't have OCD I wouldn't attempt to put stuff in there as I'd have no idea where to put it!!). Then put my toiletries and cleaning products away, and basically at this point I collapse!!

Now I'm going to have to add getting the bags our and setting them up as I can cope with, moving groceries from crates to bags and then to kitchen, emptying bags and then carefully putting bags away.

I've just thought even if the crates had "legs" that could pop out so they were at waist level? Even that would help with the physical side.

"OP/ExpertTypist (with Administrative experience)

Before you go, WHAT is with the capitals?"

😂😂 yea I know that irritates some.

It's because the way I post (writing elsewhere and then copying and pasting across) the 2 apps aren't completely compatible and so it's easier to use caps for emphasis than the asterisks either side as per mn formatting rather than have to go through posts and change caps to bold.

I am trying to remember it annoys some and make the effort to edit but sometimes I Cba.

Sorry if this has been suggested. I have read the thread but over the course of a couple of days. Can your DD not bring the shopping in? Is she an adult?

Re eBay - unfortunately they don't accept my bank card! No idea why.

But others posting have kindly linked to options at Amazon and wilko which hopefully will prove useful.

I am definitely going to miss them as bin bags as they're quite sturdy and easy to tie.

I hope you find a solution; your situation sounds really difficult.

@Schuyler fair question.

Dd is an adult but works long shifts and is disabled herself.

We're on 4th floor and there's no way she could manage a weeks worth in one go! She'd end up injuring herself. The only other option then would be her shopping every 2 or 3 days (dependent on shifts) which I've found in the past often means things get very disorganised and expensive!

She does a top up shop on occasion but she really couldn't manage eg drinks and cans/jars (the weight).

Also her shifts mean she's rarely available when our shops are open (not everywhere has 24 hour 365 days a year)

How about those very thin but strong foldaway bags (made of nylon I think)? You and the driver decant items into them at the door. You then put away at your own pace then hung the bags in the wash when they're empty and then fold and put away until next time. You can surely find a small space somewhere for freshly washed bags?

Graphista

I have read your thread, and I must admit I have no experience of OCD.
I can feel the sheer anxiety and panic about this situation, coming through in your posts. I really feel for you. It must be totally exhausting. I don’t think I can add any ideas that haven’t already been mentioned, so it wouldn’t be helpful of me to try.
I hope you can find a solution to this problem, I understand how difficult this is for you.

Wishing you all the best 💐

I haven’t rtft because it’s way too long now but I’m in a similar position to you - tiny kitchen with no counter space and can’t put things on the floor (because I couldn’t pick them up again). Could you get the groceries brought into your living room and put on the couch/coffee table etc? It’ll be quicker and you can do your jenga when the driver has gone. That’s what I do.

I appreciate that you clearly have significant health difficulties around your supermarket delivery. However I din’t ThinK it’s the supermarket’s hob to accommodate this. If you have significant issues the surely you need healthcare support?

I might have missed it if you've answered this but what about cloth bags? I have plain strong cotton ones that wash well and are easy to hang up to store. Would a shopping basket be any good? www.amazon.co.uk/Strong-Multipurpose-Folding-Plastic-Shopping/dp/B07PTPZ8JP/ref=asc_df_B07PTPZ8JP/?hvlocphy=9046823&linkCode=df0&hvptwo&psc=1&hvnetw=g&hvadid=352270292068&hvpone&hvlocint&hvpos=1o5&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl&hvqmt&tag=mumsnetforu03-21&hvtargid=pla-760975919473&hvrand=8784264301091320514

I'd let the driver have a go at taking the shopping though... They're probably very used to navigating a house while carrying the crate. Even if they just took the heavy stuff through?

Command hooks need no DIY skills and are fab if you need somewhere to hang stuff.

Or ask them to take it into the living room and then ask your DD to pass it out for you to put away?

Just floating ideas that I haven't seen mentioned.

"I've just thought even if the crates had "legs" that could pop out so they were at waist level? Even that would help with the physical side."

Well after saying last night I thought all possible solutions had already been mentioned, here's another one possibly

You can get folding laundry baskets with legs that pop out (pic attached, this one is a tenner on amazon but there are lots)

On that note, do you have Amazon Pantry? They deliver here with big brown paper bags, and are very good. I think the delivery charge is 3.99 but a lot of the items are cheaper than supermarkets.

Ffs sorry, this is the pic

@Veterinari yes the supermarket does have a legal obligation to provide a reasonable adjustment to its provision of service to “accommodate “ a disabled customer. That isn’t necessarily providing plastic babes though. It could be assisting with transferring items from crates into bags owned by the op, or carrying them into the property for example. Not every disabled person has “healthcare support”, even if they need it. It’s very expensive to purchase privately and rarely provided sufficiently when subsidised by the State.

PLASTIC BAGS!!! Omg “plastic babes” 😂😂🤦🏼‍♀️

However I din’t ThinK it’s the supermarket’s job to accommodate this. If you have significant issues the surely you need healthcare support?

This is really what I think too. I understand the sheer level of frustration your mental and physical health cause you but I don't think it's fair to blame the supermarkets for not accommodating this. They are a large franchise and quite honestly I agree with their decision to remove bags. The environment is in a shit condition and businesses need to be doing things like this.
But OP, with how bad you are saying things are for you then really you need to be getting some sort of health are support or carers involved.

Those laundry baskets on legs could be just the thing? If you got say, 2 of them, and set them up by the door, with bags already inside them, then the delivery driver can put your groceries direct into those bags and you can carry through at your convenience.

Saves the bending, saves the bags going on the floor?

I think supermarkets could easily supply bags for customers who need them like OP does. The amount used would still be reduced allowing them to do their bit for the environment but without negatively affecting disabled people.

Sorry I don't think I've addressed the using washable bags idea. I do get why it was suggested but I struggle to stay on top of laundry at the best of times! Not just because of the OCD (although it's a factor) but also because I don't have an outside drying area OR anywhere to put a tumble dryer so drying laundry is tricky! I have a "radiator airer" thingy but I also make use of the headboard on my bed for larger items like towels and bedding. Not ideal but just about manageable.

@CherrySherbet thank you for your kind post. I do feel pretty much permanently knackered but then I think that's true for ANYONE with a chronic condition physical or mental.

@Angelf1sh thank you too - small kitchens are a nightmare aren't they?! My flat is a Victorian tenement so converted from when families used to live in one room. High ceilings but the floor plans are horrendous! Dds room is HUGE but hall, kitchen and bathroom all tiny - I would not be at all surprised if designed by single, child free men! With no idea of the space a family actually needs in certain rooms. Dds room is right next to bathroom and bathroom could easily have been made larger taking some square footage from her room and her room would still be a decent size. The kitchen seems like an afterthought!

Unfortunately I can't use my living room at the moment.

"However I din’t ThinK it’s the supermarket’s hob to accommodate this" except the law says that businesses DO have to make reasonable adjustments for disabled customers. I'm not expecting that they keep using/issuing plastic bags but alternative bags or at the very least allowing customers to buy reusable bags I don't think is asking that much. Even if they'd given more notice!

"If you have significant issues the surely you need healthcare support?" I do absolutely - and I've been trying to get all kinds of support for almost 6 months. But health care doesn't negate businesses responsibility to be considerate of their disabled customers.

Questionablemouse - I don't doubt at all the drivers' willingness to help or carry things through, but I'd honestly be concerned they could hurt themselves! For starters their crates wouldn't fit through my kitchen doorway carried in the normal way - the crates are too wide, the drivers would end up scraping their knuckles or worse banging them on a hinge or door handle. Then they've got to continue with their other deliveries. I'd feel awful if they hurt themselves

@webuilt - I had laundry basket like that in my last flat I had the room for it and loved it, but I've even had to change to using a half size plastic "basket" from wilko as a laundry basket as a normal size one won't fit between the washer and one set of cupboards. Also means it takes me 2 trips to empty one load of washing. I've nowhere in the flat I could store those sadly. But I was meaning more if the crates the drivers used had "legs" - feeling a bit of a dragons den moment! Except I couldn't do it!

If a genius practical person came up with a crate design that had lids, legs and maybe adjustable dividers inside the crates? To stop shopping shaking about? I think they'd be brilliant for online shopping. Maybe made with that antibac plastic too?

"Not every disabled person has “healthcare support”, even if they need it. It’s very expensive to purchase privately and rarely provided sufficiently when subsidised by the State." Definitely! It's a major issue at the moment for many disabled folk! One of my dad's cousins has Parkinson's and needs more help than he's getting, including he's only getting bathed once a week at the moment as he's been unable to find even anyone privately that's reliable to come in another day. Healthcare and support services are in a shocking state at the moment.

At no point have I said I have a problem with reducing plastic use, as I've said I completely understand and I recycle loads myself and try and otherwise keep plastic use to a minimum. I'm not one for throwing away perfectly good items in the household, I "make do and mend", I look after things including clothes so they last longer etc.

But I would have appreciated MUCH more notice - less than a week isn't really on. And I do think they should have been prepared to offer customers (environmentally friendly) alternatives not just saying (without giving their drivers extra time for this btw) "our drivers will help as much as possible" - very unfair on the drivers I think. I'm also shocked by pps comment that apparently they've not even made sure their drivers know!

I'm afraid I don't have anything to add to the conversation but I've seen Graphista's name around MN for years and had no idea what she was dealing with. Just goes to show that we really have no idea what posters have going on in their lives.

I hope things can work out for you somehow Graphista

I've cleared a space next to my bed where I think I can store them but depends on size (particularly with crates)

Do you think you could store the laundry baskets with legs in that space, Graphista?

Unfortunately I can't use my living room at the moment

You said this before. Your have a whole room you don't use. Is it like unsafe? Floor rotting? It would seem to me, life would be easier if you had access to that particular space. Delivery dude can deposit shopping in there and you can put away at your leisure.

Rockbird, thank you. This thread actually barely scratches the surface! If I were to describe my full week, he'll even a full day (I've had my OWN eyes opened on that score from doing my pip claim recently) I'd either be accused (again) of lying or I'd literally blow people's minds. The amount of time spent on rituals doing "simple" things like getting dressed would astound I'm sure. (And if I do it "wrong" I have to discard those clothes and start all over again!)

NoSquirrels - no it's the space behind my headboard of my bed but in the corner next to the wall where I don't sleep that side. I can't pull the bed further from the wall as there's no room.

Gamerchick - "unsafe" in my stupid dysfunctional brain I'm afraid. I'd prefer not to go into detail as very outing.