Paper bags for loose produce

[BlackInk]

I've been Facebook messaging Sainsbury's over the past couple of days asking them whether they would consider replacing the plastic bags they provide for loose fresh produce (fruit, vegs, bakery items etc) with paper bags.

The response I got initially was defensive - paper bags take up more room in transit (so use more fuel), are more expensive and take up more room in store. They also said that customers prefer plastic bags for these items and that everything except mushrooms keeps better in a plastic bag than a paper one. I find this hard to believe - surely a croissant or bunch of grapes would be better in breathable paper than sweaty plastic?

They did say that the plastic bags can be recycled along with carrier bags if left at the collection points in store. I pointed out that they should make more effort to encourage customers to do this - and also that plastic recycling is very hit and miss in this country, and most of it ends up in landfill even when we think we're recycling it.

I replied that there are eco-friendlier solutions to fuel and storage issues, but currently no real solution to plastic waste.

In the end, the person I was messaging said they would register my request / concerns with the relevant team for internal review.

I thought perhaps if lots of people register their concern on this topic we might actually get somewhere... any one fancy a chat with Sainsbury's customer services??

BI x

I've had a chat with them before and tbh, I think the idea of doing a waste free checkout is best.

Get all your stuff, remove all additional plastic and packaging. Pack it into pre brought containers leave rubbish there for the supermarket to deal with.

They'll soon deal with it then because it's inconveniencing them!

Paper still has a massive environmental impact, even recycled. Paper mills emit huge amounts of chemicals and bleach into the environment, are very energy intensive etc. It's not simply a case of paper = benign / plastic = evil. We need to get away from the disposable culture per se, not just switch to something that ends up just as problematic. People using mesh/cotton produce bags is the next step after plastic bag reduction.

At the crux of it is the whole business model of supermarkets and being self-service... it's more or less incompatible with zero-waste and sustainability. Having, say, self service nut/muesli etc dispensing hoppers into own containers are fine from a food hygiene pov, but no-one would want to buy meat or pickles open to all and sundry to serve themselves. Supermarkets don't work with, say, 90% counter-service, we need to return to old school High St shops & market stalls for that.