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Ethical living

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Original poster

say no to plastic bags!

41 replies

babyonboard · 17/05/2006 15:12

title says it all really..
I am totally sick of overpackaging, and the use of bags when not neccesary..
I sometimes see people asking for a bag to put their newspaper/ box of fags/bottle of milk/ lottery ticket in in our local shop!? why!

OP posts:
Orlando · 17/05/2006 15:18

Am with you all the way

Especially since sainsburys and morrisons where we live have recently removed their bag recycling points. When I asked why at customer services they said 'it's not our responsibility, it's the council's'

Grrr.. On the subject of boycotting, I would if it wouldn't make life so much more blooming complicated. Instead I am faithfully using my bags for life.

bluejelly · 17/05/2006 15:27

Totally agree. Wish they would ban them like in Ireland

Original poster
babyonboard · 17/05/2006 15:34

i sometimes get sneered at by shopkeepers when i say i don't want a bag..argh

OP posts:
pootlepod · 17/05/2006 15:37

50p landfill tax on a plastic bag should sort it out.

I actually find my reusable bags more comfy to carry and easier to pack.

Orlando · 17/05/2006 15:39

...Or elaborate sigh/eye-rolling combo as they wearily remove the packet of tic-tacs from its enormous carrier bag...

chipmonkey · 17/05/2006 16:04

Plastic bags are not banned over here (Ireland) but we do have a 15c tax on them. Which, because we are a bunch of tight gits means that effectively they are banned!Grin
Everyone here has a collection of long life shopping bags which you bring to the supermarket. I have a great one which folds down to the size of a wallet and I keep in in my handbag all the time.

Bozza · 17/05/2006 16:09

Years ago some places did charge a penny though, didn't they? Would be a bad move competitively now though, so only a tax would work IMO.

purpleprincess · 17/05/2006 16:10

I agree they should charge for them (like in places like Lidl) and always try and remember to take my reusables and dont take a bag unless really need it. What is really annoying though is when you do an online shop (usually with Sainbsbury or Ocado) and they turn up with one or two products in each bag - why do they do this??!

charliecat · 17/05/2006 16:10

I do already, still seem to end up with a load of them though. Not sure why.

katierocket · 17/05/2006 16:14

Agree - I have such a problem with this. They should charge for them, it's disgraceful.

expatinscotland · 17/05/2006 16:20

i HATE them. they look awful, they cut into your fingers when weighted, they rip, etc.

i think there should be a charge for them AND a tax.

Original poster
babyonboard · 17/05/2006 16:22

topshop should be commended..they give little cotton bags, even for a £3 pair of earrings..
I see lots of people using the topshop bags as handbags (and I use them for my babies dirty laundry)

OP posts:
Californifrau · 17/05/2006 16:42

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
babyonboard · 17/05/2006 16:58

germany is great with waste reduction.
I really think it's the national mentality of being a 'new' country , whereas the english are all stuck in their ways..

i.e my nanny recently said.."we just got a recycling bin..do they think we're all hippies!?"

sigh..

OP posts:
Tatties · 17/05/2006 17:05

I'm with you on this. I have some reusable cloth bags with square bottoms, like the ones you can buy in m&s. Agree that they are so much easier to pack and carry. One of our local shops has a policy of not offering a carrier bag, instead they sell small cloth bags for 30p which goes to charity! Great idea.

Californifrau · 17/05/2006 17:36

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

chestnutty · 18/05/2006 12:21

I always use carrier bags for a kitchen bin liner. Do other eco-mnetters do the same or buy liners?

Jessajam · 18/05/2006 12:26

Topshop do cloth carrier bags...?!?
(mind you, haven't bought naything from there in a while - can't manouvre buggy between the clothes and the skinny-jeaned assistants!!!)

I re-use carrier bags until they fall apart then recycle. Also re-use them to, ahem, pick up pur dogs crap on walks!

JanH · 18/05/2006 12:27

I buy liners because carriers have little holes in and our rubbish is always leaky.

OTOH I have a stash of proper shopping bags and the carriers I do get are reused one way or another. Agree they should be taxed though.

hunkercaribou · 18/05/2006 12:29

Cotton is one of the (if not the) most heavily sprayed crop in the world, isn't it?

expatinscotland · 18/05/2006 12:31

Hemp's a good alternative, hunker.

Jessajam · 18/05/2006 12:33

??topshops - fairtrade and organic cotton????

shazronnie · 18/05/2006 12:41

I made reusing carrier bags my new years resolution and I am pleased to say I am still using my bags for life - it is easy just to chuck them back in the car boot after unpacking, ready for next time

Cappucino · 18/05/2006 13:10

I take cloth bags with me all the time but still manage to come home with a load of plastic bags; my mother is like some mad old bag lady with them, she rustles all the time

I give mine to the corner shop so at least I feel a bit recycly...

rosycheek · 18/05/2006 13:17

I hate carrier bags too. When I go shopping I have 2 cardboard boxes in the back of the car which I pack it into. I do get some very strange looks when I say I don't want any bags and have even been stopped by security on my way out to check I had paid (as my shopping wasn't in bags).

Any carrier bags that we do have get reused in the bin. I hate to admit that I do need to buy bin liners as well though, I wish I could find another alternative.

Why can't supermarkets use brown paper bags like they do in the States? The majority of people are only carrying stuff to and from their cars so do they really need to have handles?