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Original poster

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

153 replies

mumtosam · 26/03/2008 11:44

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.

OP posts:
edam · 26/03/2008 13:58

all bags use energy in their manufacture and recycling! I've seen the other comments but am STILL pissed off that I'm going to suffer to make people who are being far more environmentally unfriendly than me feel better.

I shall grumble every time I walk to the supermarket and back again, passing all those motorists who can merrily fit blasted Bags for Life in the boot. So there. (Might investigate string bags, though I don't fancy the world and his wife seeing what type of sanitary protection I use.)

bundle · 26/03/2008 13:59

ahem
will report back (seem to remember something about breast cancer on them..)

bundle · 26/03/2008 13:59

lol @ sanpro edam

you KNOW the way ahead is a mooncup

Greyriverside · 26/03/2008 14:00

peanutbutterkid, We have to use a huge communal bin with no top to it. It's never cleaned as that would be a professional job.

I double wrap all my rubbish too to keep it hygenic and I just wish everyone else would make the effort to do so because it stinks and attracts flies.

stleger · 27/03/2008 09:46

Our supermarkets and pound shops also sell canvas bags, nice square shape, variety of colours. Easier to carry than bags for life, and your personal items are well concealed.

bundle · 27/03/2008 10:23

the M&S string bag has "organic cotton" written on the label

will dig further re: who made it

stleger · 27/03/2008 10:38

The MandS string bag is marketed here as turtle friendly. And is available in various attractive colours.

WendyWeber · 27/03/2008 10:53

Organic and turtle friendly sounds good

bundle, you are such a researcher

Zazette · 27/03/2008 10:59

Re stinky bins: get a bokashi composting system, like this (although I have to say that one's a bit pricey, ours was only £40 for 2 bins, but I can't remember where I bought it...). Then you will have NO food waste to put in your bin, and nothing to go slimy and stinky. Between that and recycling, our family of 4 generates enough rubbish to fill 2 plastic supermarket carrier bags in a week.

SixSpotBurnet · 27/03/2008 11:04

Another household of non-driving, proud plastic bag reusers here!

wheresthehamster · 27/03/2008 11:05

Zazette - can you tell me if this takes raw meat?

I've skimmed the link but couldn't find if it said this

Zazette · 27/03/2008 11:23

yes, raw meat, cooked meat, BONES even apparently, haven't been brave enough to try that though! it is a marvel, my pride and joy

wheresthehamster · 27/03/2008 11:44

Thanks. It's looks good

cmotdibbler · 27/03/2008 11:50

If you go to your local council website and find the link for cheap composting bins, you can buy bokashi systems cheap through that.

We don't put any food scraps/waste at all in our bin bag (1 per week - would be better if our council weren't so fussy on plastic recycling), and there are no smells or flies at all.

We have put bones in, but haven't peered too closely at the composter to see what then happens to them.

IorekByrnison · 27/03/2008 12:03

Here are some reasons why, mumtosam

CountessDracula · 27/03/2008 12:05

Watch the 10 o clcok bbc news tonight
they have a big report about how the plastic breaks down and attracts horrible things then gets ingested by little sea dwelling things and into the food chain

KerryMum · 27/03/2008 12:10

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

perpetualworrier · 27/03/2008 12:11

My Dad has started stockpiling platic bags - he thinks they will soon become golddust!

BoysOnToast · 27/03/2008 12:16

saw a cartoon somehwere... private eye? maybe.

had
pic onelden days; a drawerful of carrierbags in the kitchen you never remembered to take to the shop to re-use.
pic 2: nowadays; a huge cupboard full of reusable, hemp shopping bags you never remeber to take to the shop to reuse, at £2-5 a pop .

arf

(i have said cupboard)

BoysOnToast · 27/03/2008 12:17

ooh, whered that grin come from? bloody technology...

stleger · 27/03/2008 13:06

Actually we do still have some free range plastic bags near me. In the places where bold teenagers do their drinking. If you have to buy a bag people look at you in a sad, sorry way...

Greyriverside · 27/03/2008 13:36

If the ones you pay for don't blow around in the wind that's a big improvement

Btw where does that leave me with my tescos delivery which has to be in bags because it has to go up stairs to get to me.

KerryMum · 27/03/2008 13:51

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

stleger · 27/03/2008 13:58

Tesco used to have a returnable plastic box with handle thing - I don't get Tesco delivery. I have no idea what current bag tax is - I use the ones dh buys, he is the forgetter.

EricL · 27/03/2008 14:05

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

That bit is the issue OP. You are still using/sending plastic bags to the landfill which is the issue.

I think the idea is to try and not use them at all - so as to save on the energy used to make them and also to stop them ending up in the ground.