AIBU to try to persuade people to use their own boxes and small bags to buy food items?

[LeeBowman]

AIBU - I live in a small town where I am part of a group trying to promote environmental action locally. One of these actions is to try to persuade people to take their sandwich/storage boxes and small bags, such as bread bags or similar to buy food items in local shops and at the market; this would be items such as cakes, quiches, olives, fish, meat, fruit and veg (eg small items like brussels sprouts), etc. Many of us take our own shopping bags but it's about going a step further by putting some bags and boxes in our shopping bags ready to take out when we go shopping. Have you any suggestions about how to get this idea across to people and to encourage this habit? Should I stop being wound up about what other people don't do to help protect the environment for the sake of nature and other people?

Makes sense to try a scheme at the farmers market or something if you have one? Maybe you could encourage the stall holders to give a small discount if they bring their own tub.

With stuff like this you need to be aware of not being over zealous. Nothing puts me off eco enthusiasts more than them pointing out the the effort you are already making isn't good enough.

So maybe give a stock of reusable bags to small businesses to give out? With a 5p discount for customers who bring them back? Or a central drop box type place where people could bring spares bags/boxes etc.

Good luck op.

our local health food shop selling things like nuts & pasta in bulk, and you can bring your own tupperwares or get it in a paper bag from the shop. For many of the things you've list above, a paper bag is fine & then can go in the recycling. And for things like fish or quiche, half the battle is having a tupperware of the right size to hand - I wouldn't want to take fish or meat home in a re-used bread-bag which has holes in it.

One good option is to sell the right size of tupperware in the shop right next to the food items & give a discount for re-use - people who shop regularly might buy the tupperware the first time and then use it each week.

Finally, think about how you can really make the biggest impact for the climate. the amount of time & effort you have to put in to fussing about a few plastic bags might be better spent on writing to your MP or supporting XR or doing any of the big picture things that could really make a difference.