Sainsburys going bag free

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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'll let you know between 7-8pm

Op they just confirmed to me the start date is the 1st October,

I wasn't offered bags like the other person was on Twitter.

I think Morrison's still have bags so I will switch to them

Well, not to put too fine a point on it, but this is a direct result of all that lefty environmentalism that has been surging in recent years...

Could you get something like a crate on wheels. Transfer it into that and then pull it into the kitchen to unload. You could line it with a removable, washable cotton inner. Your shopping would only need to touch the cotton liner which could be washed as easily as you wash all other soft items.

Or maybe some cotton bags 'for life' which can be washed and reused. There's got to be a smidgeon of space for a clean bag to go, even if it's in with clothes or the like. Then you could unload into those bags and have them nicely washed and sanitised after each use.

I can't believe they'd just go bagless without considering peoples needs for bags.

I carry crates into kitchen and get my kids to help unload onto the floor. It's one of the jobs they don't mind! There's definitely that sense of "hurry" for the delivery person.

You should have a bagged option, or someone to help you unpack.

Not impressed either, pay for the bags anyway so not like they are free. Would just like the option. Can’t have delivery guy take into kitchen as dogs would eat him, and kitchen far end of house. Currently bit restricted as have had op so don’t really want to lug big bags around. Delivery guys are usually pretty harrassed anyway.

OP have you tried phoning customer services? I am sure they must have considered how they will accommodate people with additional needs. Maybe they will still deliver your groceries in bags if you explain.

If they won't agree to continue giving you bags then you do need to consider one of the options from the many that have been suggested. I think using bin liners from a roll is probably the best one. Those bags will be very clean inside and can be reused in your kitchen bin. It may take a few goes to find the ones that work best but it sounds the most feasible given your limitations.

It does look like you'll have to find and use a plan b. Shouting at the world doesn't work.

Maybe your daughter needs to physically go shopping when she's off. Even if that means different days. It doesn't look like you're open to any suggestions than the one you're accustomed to.

Click and collect? Asda do this and its free so you could use the money to pay for a taxi to go and get it, they'll bring it out to the car and then you can decant into bags.
Plus the workers are stationed there so wont be dashing off.
Worth finding a friendly taxi service or better yet a friend.

Sympathies. The email says they'll pack your bag for life. Contact the store and tell them about your disability. They'll need to allocate your driver more time.

I understand that some people have problems, but if enough people expect delivery drivers to undertake free work they aren't getting paid for they will end up missing someone off their list as they'll run out of time on their shift.
They are supposed to be in and out, not helping people put away, or hanging around.
I do sympathise, honestly. But expecting delivery drivers to do more is unreasonable.

Is there someone you could ask to be with you when they deliver.

I can’t link on my phone but here is a pic, if you google folding wheeled trolley they should come up, this was about £10 on Amazon, maybe cheaper elsewhere. This folds flat so can be slipped away easily somewhere for storage. It barely weighs anything and is easy to fold/unfold - if you struggle I’m sure the driver would unfold it for you at the door. You could always line it with your own fabric that you can wash? It’s the easiest way I have found as it fits more shopping than an old fashioned fabric trolley and flat for storage. It’s a lot easier to take through to the kitchen than bags too.

"Our drivers will be happy to carry your shopping into your kitchen if you wish, and it’s safe for them to do so.
Or, have your bags for life ready by your front door so either you or your driver can easily transfer your groceries."

How about buying a wheelie shopping bag that the driver could offload all your groceries into straight from the van? You can then wheel it into the kitchen and unpack at your leisure.
If your kitchen is as small as you describe you can't be doing a huge shop due to lack of storage.

Sorry but you do have somewhere to store 2 or 3 bags for life! They fold to nothing and would slide between something.

The world isn't going to keep filling with plastic to satisfy your OCD and your claim that you don't have a 2mm gap in your house to store a couple of bags.

Harsh but really get a hold of things. You can take 2 or 3 bags for life to the door and the driver will put the items from the crates into them and you can continue as you usually did before with the plastic bags. Problem solved

I spoke to the Tesco delivery driver about the bagless deliveries being a pain. He said it wasn't very well thought out mainly due to customers shopping getting wet and thinks they will either go back to a bagged option or something else. But further changes are coming so he says.

You can put a hook up next to the front door, fold all the bags in to one bag

Hook is a good idea

Could you use something with wheels - maybe one of those shopping bags/a case or similar lined with something which can then be washed or thrown?

This is going to sound harsh, but with the impending crisis, people's individual needs and requirements just aren't going to be taken into consideration.

Sainsbury is also about to get rid of plastic bags for loose veggies and fruit, which I welcome.

I am sorry but it sounds as if nothing speaks against using washable bags for you. The rest is really down to your poorly managed OCD and I understand that it is frustrating that the NHS doesn't support you in the way you feel would work for you.
If you recycle and compost, and most Scottish counties now provide a small kitchen compost bin, nothing wet or otherwise icky should be in your waste bin. So technically, you really do not need to line your bin with a plastic bag. "I re-use it" isn't a particularly strong argument.

Or a hook on the back of the front door, fold the bags for life use one to hang them.

I'm sorry op I can see this is very stressful for you but it seems you may have got yourself into a frenzy where you've been told what you are used to is changing and you're panicking about it.
If everything you're saying is true and accepting a delivery of shopping needs as much wrap around planning as you say then you need some help, a carer for example, and you need to speak to the council regarding your property size. What you describe is suitable for a hobbit and that's it! However, these arnt immediate fixes.
I do struggle to believe you have no where you can store some folded bags for life and then wash them after they've been used. In that respect, you are making a bit of a mountain.
I think you should sleep on it for now and don't allow it to consume you tonight. Tomorrow, you are bound to have a clearer head to find an immediate solution you are happy with. I hope you can do this