Plastic carrier bags - Shock horror, I'm not against them

[mumtosam]

I'd love to agree with the current line of thought that they're evil but I don't. So before we get rid of them / tax them to oblivion has anyone come up with a half decent alternative.

I'm happy to recycle - what the difference to me which dustbin I put my rubbish in.

My driving is enviromentally friendly -I drive a hybrid vehicle and walk plenty.

I reuse my carrier bags at home as bin liners so don't have any to take with me to the shops.

So please tell me why I should start paying 5-10p a bag.

There's always this

Having recently got into plastic and cardboard recycling I now only produce about three or four carrier bags of rubbish a week instead of five huge bin bags and when the composting gets under way will be even less. So I feel I need a supply of rubbish bags. I would rather use supermarket carrier bags as opposed to buying bin bags off the shelf. Should I be getting bio-degradable ones and if so are they easily obtainable?

I can get bio-degradable compost bin liners, bin liners and refuse sacks from my local supermarket.

WTH seriously good for you in the recycling/rubbish stakes, that is some reduction

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I do agree that all the vitriol directed at carrier bags is misdirected, but even if you take the bags back to the shops to be recycled, recycling still takes energy, so not really doing "no harm to the environment at all".

Thanks - I thought someone might come on and say that was still too much! The dds are getting good at separating the stuff now. Our kerbside recycling is quite good here but we still have to take plastic, tins and cardboard to the dump so it's still a bit of an effort. However it really focusses you on how much waste we produce.

Am off to the supermarket later so will look out for the bags.

marmadukescarlet try reading this link. I don't say that plastic bags are wonderful. Just that they are this months fashionable evil.

Opps you can get to it by scrolling right up but this is the proper link

All supermarkets should give free biodegradable shopping bags like my supermarket does. I reuse them as bin bags. I don't see why I should pay fro biodegradable bin bags when I can get them from the supermarket for free.

edam, what you need is a string bag (or 2 or 3) - like carriers they screw up small when empty, but unlike carriers can safely carry a big heavy load, and unlike the huge shoppers can also carry something small without it rolling around.

I have never used carriers as binliners because of the holes in the bottom (DH always puts wet stuff in the bin ) so I buy binliners.

Sometimes you just need a plastic bag though, so I suppose in future we'll have to use binliners in place of carriers for random things like muddy football boots and holiday laundry, as they'll cost a lot less than 5-10p each.

Plastic bags are so insignificant to the whole scheme of things.

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Motherfunk, the idea of charging for plastic bags is to make people think twice about using them, not to make a profit on them. If you know it might cost you an extra 30 or 40p each time you go, it should concentrate your mind!

When I was small there were no supermarkets and no plastic bags (and not many fridges either); people went shopping virtually every day and took their own bags. If our mothers and grandmothers could do it, surely it's not beyond us?

Motherfunk - because they don't wan to mis a money making opportunity.

and of course the good publicity they get if they decide to donate the money to charity.

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Yes Science, they are. But if carrier bags can register on the radar of people who wouldn't normally bother with any of it it may have an effect on there general attitude to the enviroment/their responsibilities.

Those of you using plastic bags as bin bags why does your rubbish need to be bagged?

Serious question btw, not being pedantic.

We don't use any bin bags, everything goes direct into our bin and is then collected by the refuse truck fortnightly.

As for things like muddy football boots, if you have other types of bags in the home use them.

MF, Paper bags would still require recycling and production, so in theory it sounds better but would just increase other costs/emissions. The idea is that people don't use any type of bag and then throw it away.

Also I understand completely sometimes you go into a shop, buy more than expected and don't have anywhere to put it, if the bags are charged, these trips are less likely to occur (apparently) but at least it will make you think twice about whether or not you actually need the bag.

I have often seen people put a loaf of bread or a newspaper or something in a carrier bag and then leave the shop and get in their car, maybe that 5-10p charge would stop those people. I think that's the point.

Also on your weekly shop for example if you're likely to need quite a few bags you're more likely to take your own if you have to pay.

VS, do you mean you don't have a kitchen bin? Every little bit of kitchen waste is taken straight out to the dustbin, regardless of weather? Where do you keep your dustbin?

VS - it's hard enough getting the dds to put their wrappers in a bin about 2 feet from where they are sitting let alone ask them to get dressed, walk all the way through the house, up the path and put it in the dustbin!

I will suggest it though!

Paper bags consume just as much energy as making plastic bags, although at least they have a renewable source.

I carry round two little cotton bags (one promotes real nappies, the other Babymilk Action) that roll up to 2cm x 4cm cylinders, and so lurk in my handbag ready for any shopping. They are the same size as carrier bags when opened up. For planned shopping theres a variety of canvas and jute bags. One of these bags I have had for 15 years, and have used on a frequent basis ever since.

For wet stuff I use a reusable nappy bag, and theres a boot bag for wellies etc.

What is the point of shrinkwrapping a cucumber? and does anyone benefit from it?

You've always paid for these bags. The shops don't really give you anything for free. They recoup their costs through adding it to the products that they sell. Bio-degradable or not you will be apying for them somehow. Some shops like Aldi are upfront with the costs others hide it in the prices of their goods.

I agree that the latest campaign is too focuesed on plastic bags but its a start in the right direction.

I would love to see a pic of your giraffe bag soupdragon

And that plastic that keeps four tins of beans or four cartons of juice together!

Why not just discount at the till!!