Am I missing something. Somerfields are stopping free plastic carrier bags altogether. Do we clap or boo. All the others will follow suite soon. Then where will all the bin liners, dog walkers poo bags, nappy bags etc come from. You will be able to buy them from somerfields, still made out of plastic, good for all the tasks mentioned, more than likely the same shape.
Who are they kidding!
And the recyclable ones at 6p each.
Meanwhile, we are having to buy bags to put all our dross into - or our surplus runner beans for a friend.
I think I agree that plastic bags should be stopped, although I admit I do use them for bin liners etc. etc. The best bag I have folds up, came from Morrisons for 59p and I use it all the time. My mother always had a shopping bag/basket and think plastic bags are a fairly recent thing. I think we have to rethink our attitudes. The Council used to supply black rubbish bags, but don't anymore, I buy them but get quite a few for £1. Plastic bags can also reusable, so if you give produce away ask for the bag back. Would have gone to Wyevales to buy seeds but they have stopped my state pension, think I don't live at this address although have done for the past 25 years. They have stopped it for my own benefit, but can't explain why, I feel a letter of complaint coming on.
Don't worry about the pension, you would have only wasted it on seeds and plastic bags ;D It will be there soon with your winter gin fuel allowance.
Borlotti good luck in sorting that out!!
Ace why not try using news paper to wrap your beans and stull into :) when you give it away i tend to have a collapsable box in the car for stuff like that and i have some reusable bags for shopping and some reusable ikea bags for messy stuff which wipe clean.
I buy nappy bags to dispose of our dog's poo when we are away from the house. They are very cheap and don't take up a lot of room in your pocket when you set out for a walk. They are much better than using plastic carrier bags that have holes in them anyway. :P
Our supermarkets are stopping the free plastic bag too, Tesco being one of them and our council have stopped free blacks for about 2 years now. Now I don't mind but the bin men will only take black unless you put it in the road ready for them. And plastic bags at the supermarket I don;t mind unless I run in on the way home for something so while on holiday I brought a small enough bag to fit in my hand bag. Its a start, bet I don;t take my handbag.
QuoteOur supermarkets are stopping the free plastic bag too, Tesco being one of them
I'll believe it when I see it. I use one of the proper bags yet still the checkout staff seem addicted to stuffing everything into plastic bags. Last week I bought a bottle of washing up liquid and some pan scourers and the girl insisted that these items had to be sold in a separate plastic bag in case the top came off and contaminated puss's Whiskers.
Quote from: Paulines7 on August 23, 2008, 17:43:03
I buy nappy bags to dispose of our dog's poo when we are away from the house. They are very cheap and don't take up a lot of room in your pocket when you set out for a walk. They are much better than using plastic carrier bags that have holes in them anyway. :P
Our council gives bags free for picking up dog nuts whilst out walking them.
valmarg
What the hell are dog nuts? I typed dog s**t.
Are dog nuts also known as sphericals, aka balls. ;D ;D
valmarg
My local ASDA decided to stop plastic bags way back when it first became a political subject. (I think that was back in April/May - around local election time).
I think they stopped for a whole week before giving in.
When the checkout girls told me it was to help the environmet, I use to ask why the car park lights were on ALL night long and wasn't charging for (slightly stronger) bags just a con to extract more money from punters.
I've now noticed that Woolies have started charging. But I think that'll stop if the proposed takeover from Iceland Foods Plc. goes ahead.
As a teenager I helped to start an environment group in two of my schools. I care passionately about the environment and have always done whatever I can; but... China builds a new power station every week, and I'm supposed to worry about a few carrier bags!!! Personally I think it's just more cynical exploitation by the multinationals that exploit our every move...
If you think carrier bags, use them or not, can save our planet, you've missed the point. By miles. What worries me is that there are probable people living in Britain who think they are caring for the environment because they use a plastic bag twice.... Good grief!!!
You know you can add compost to a carrier bag and plant in them dont you? ;)
Quote from: OllieC on August 24, 2008, 01:34:22
What worries me is that there are probable people living in Britain who think they are caring for the environment because they use a plastic bag twice.... Good grief!!!
Ollie from little Acorns mighty oaks do grow!
Don't get me wrong i use carrier bags,infact i grab a few extra at the check out to make sure I've got plenty to take down the plot as they allways come in handy,but so what if they stop dishing them out there are plenty of alternatives.after all ya granny got by and they did not have the luxury of shopping under the one roof.
Even found one for Ace. ;)
Wasn't the whole point about supermarkets doing away with plastic bags to do with the fact that they don't rot down and that they are often found littering the countryside?
In France they don't have any free plastic bags and it's surprising how quickly we get used to the idea each time we are there on holiday.
I am sure that when British supermarkets do away with them completely that we will all become used to the idea and eventually remember to bring our bags with us. It's just confusing at the moment not knowing whether or not there will be bags supplied.
Yes I know this post is long ::)
I see no problem with the ban, its not like we don't have alternatives, it won't kill you to remember to walk with a non plastic foldaway bag in you handbag or keep one in the car for regular shopping, or one off stops. All plastic is bad and although living without using plastic in modern living is pretty much nigh impossible, it doesnot mean we can't reduce our usage to a minimum when possible.
The argument one person reduced usage won't make a difference because it's only a drop in the ocean is a weak argument, cause it will take many drops to create said ocean. so instead of looking to see who else is reducing, before we make the effort to do so ourselves, just do it and be sure in the knowledge that you yourself are no longer contributing to the problem.
The same way you want to ensure you feed yourself with wholesome food by growing your own I can't quite see the problem in helping to preserve the earths resources and its environment to ensure future generations can continue to grow good food from an uncontaminated earth.
Here are articles and a few compelling quotes from those articles highlighting the grave situation that is plastic pollution:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2007/nov/13/plasticbags.pollution (http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2007/nov/13/plasticbags.pollution)
Why are plastic bags so bad?
Around 13bn plastic bags are given free to UK shoppers every year.
The bags can take between 400-1,000 years to break down, and like all forms of plastic they do not biodegrade. Instead they photodegrade, breaking down into smaller and smaller toxic bits that contaminate soil, waterways and oceans, entering the food chain when ingested by animals.
Many plastic bags end up as waste on our beaches, streets and parks. When a plastic bag enters the ocean it becomes a harmful piece of litter. Many marine animals mistake plastic bags for food and swallow them, with painful and often fatal consequences. Nearly 90% of floating marine litter is plastic.
http://www.jutenotplastic.com/ (http://www.jutenotplastic.com/)
In the time it takes you to read this 3 million plastic bags will have been produced on this planet. That equates to 500 billion plastic bags a year consuming 60 million barrels of oil to manufacture them.
In the UK alone we use 150 million plastic bags per week, the majority of which end up on landfill sites or being burnt, which releases a plethora of toxic chemicals into the air. Only 1 in every 200 bags is recycled and this requires energy and resources to collect and process the bags.
The alternative is as simple as it is environmentally sound – Use an Eco bag.. Made of jute these bags are strong, spacious and long lasting.
http://www.thetrolleybag.com/pollution.html (http://www.thetrolleybag.com/pollution.html)
15 things you need to know about Plastic Bags
Every year 20 million Australians use approximately 6 billion plastic check-out bags.
A person's use of a plastic check-out bag can be counted in minutes – however long it takes to get from the shops to their homes. Plastic bags however, can take between 15 and 1000 years to break down in the environment.
In the marine environment plastic bag litter is lethal, killing at least 100,000 birds, whales, seals and turtles every year. After an animal is killed by plastic bags its body decomposes and the plastic is released back into the environment where it can kill again.
A Bryde's whale died on a Cairns beach after ingesting 6 square metres of plastic - including plastic bags. Such obstructions in animals can cause severe pain, distress and death.
On land, plastic bag litter can block drains and trap birds. They also kill livestock. One farmer near Mudgee NSW, carried out an autopsy on a dead calf and found 8 plastic bags in its stomach. The loss of this calf cost the farmer around $500.
http://www.worldjute.com/jute_policy/polybag.html (http://www.worldjute.com/jute_policy/polybag.html)
Our planet is becoming increasingly contaminated by our unnecessary use of plastic carry bags. Big black bin liners, plastic carrier bags carrying advertising logos, clear sandwich bags, vegetable bags and a variety of other forms used to carry our daily food items and other items are all polluting our environment. Just take a look around you. Plastic bags can be seen hanging from the branches of trees, flying in the air on windy days, settled amongst bushes and floating on rivers. They clog up gutters and drains causing water and sewage to overflow and become the breeding grounds of germs and bacteria that cause diseases.
I will try and make my point again. I don't care that free carrier bags are coming to an end. I try to use them as little as possible.
What I am saying is, people use old bags for all sorts of things. Now they will have buy plastic bags to do the job, ie bin liners, nappy bags etc.
The supermarkets are crowing about how much they care for the enviroment, but will sell you plastic bags instead.
So same amount of plastic on the tip.
If the supermarkets really cared they would refuse to sell you plastic bags. But as profit is their only motive they will just carry on giving lip service.
When the government eventually bans free carrier bags they should also ban the sale of plastic bags unless they are biodegradable.
I think the point is that if they are free, folk throw them away all over the place. If folk pay for them, they are less likely to litter with them. A decline in 'carrier bag hedges and trees' would not go amiss!! ;)
My lovely green reusable bag from Morrisons for 59p (fold up) is made from material. I even took it to Wimbledon tennis with my packed lunch in. It is not just one or two bags, I try not to take plastic bags but I suppose on average with a big shop end up with about 20 a week, so multiply that by population and it must make a difference and it is not difficult to change one habits. Milk used to come in bottles which were rinsed and returned. I can remember taking back the soft drink bottles and getting a refund, enough to buy sweets with. I usually pick up a few cans and bottles when walking about the streets and put them in my recycling, hope people don't think I am looking for any left over alcohol. I recycle my plastic milk bottles, or use on the allotment, hope they are recyclable but my point is that in the good old days we didn't have all this unnecessary waste. Paper bags were used by greengrocers, and heaven help me if I didn't take a bag to my greengrocer as if he gave me a bag he moaned and moaned. That shop doesn't exist anymore so go to the supermarket, if I can't grow it. I totally agree with from small acorns oak trees grow. I cannot change the world but will carry on doing my little bit. Does anyone remember washing the milk bottle tops and saving foil for dogs for the blind. At work I also used to cut all the stamps off the post (which annoyed my boss as he thought I should be working) and gave them to charity. Waste not want not as my mother used to say. Also people are always moaning about the price of food but have you noticed how fat some of them are, they can hardly walk round the supermarket filling their baskets with everything. They obviously cannot remember rationing during the war and we all survived on little food. I am only 65 not 90 as I sound.
Quote from: ACE on August 24, 2008, 10:09:15
When the government eventually bans free carrier bags they should also ban the sale of plastic bags unless they are biodegradable.
completely agree.
Quote from: tonybloke on August 24, 2008, 10:39:27
I think the point is that if they are free, folk throw them away all over the place. If folk pay for them, they are less likely to litter with them. A decline in 'carrier bag hedges and trees' would not go amiss!! ;)
exactly.
Quote from: Borlotti on August 24, 2008, 11:20:33
It is not just one or two bags, I try not to take plastic bags but I suppose on average with a big shop end up with about 20 a week, so multiply that by population and it must make a difference and it is not difficult to change one habits. .... I cannot change the world but will carry on doing my little bit. ....
and this is the point i am trying to make.
Quote from: Borlotti on August 24, 2008, 11:20:33
Milk used to come in bottles which were rinsed and returned.
who knows why milk bottles couldnot stay glass, our so call convenient lifestyles will be the death of us in the end, i sometimes think the lack of regard we show for the earth, spills over into the lack of regard we (i mean mankind, i am not singling any one person out) we show to each other withen our societies. we well deserve to die out. >:(
Quote from: Borlotti on August 24, 2008, 11:20:33
Waste not want not as my mother used to say.
i have to young girls and i find myself saying the exact thing to them now, talk about turning into our mums :-X :-\ ;D
I use recyclable whenever I can but I still do sometimes get them from the supermarket as they bag the meat in them before we pack. If we buy supermarket fruit we even use the baggies on a roll when we get home for various things.
John had been saving plastic bags for about 2 years until last year when we stopped getting them, he is now using them as insulation in his shed between the walls, perhaps still in the system but at least they are being used.
I do give away a lot of produce though and am wondering what to carry it in.
Good idea to restrict yes..to completely ban.. I have mixed feelings.
I remember clearly when we shopped years ago there was always a heap of cardboard boxes in the shop for packing groceries in, for everyday stuff we all carried a shopping bag or in my case a basket, which I still do!! The boxes were used over and over again, I think that is a good idea but ti makes the front of the shop look messy so probably won't happen.
Interesting post.
XX Jeannine
I think its brilliant that the supermarkets are finally doing something. As has been mentioned, plastic takes more than a hundred years to break down, I guess for an average family you could easily use 20 plastic bags per each visit to the supermarket, thats over a thousand bags per year per family.
I have recycled for many years,maybe 10-12 years. We have four recyling wheelie bins for different items and I do all that I can to help the environment.
For supermarkets we take our Ikea blue bags, they only cost a few pennies, we keep them in the car and two of them fit nicely into a big shopping trolley and we get our green points from Tesco (although their system annoys me as they only count use for their own Tesco recylicng bags for points)
I think its good to have awareness, this is such a frivolous throw away society and to be encouraged to spare a thought for the environment can only be a good thing!
Quote from: Jeannine on August 24, 2008, 12:08:39
I remember clearly when we shopped years ago there was always a heap of cardboard boxes in the shop for packing groceries in, for everyday stuff we all carried a shopping bag or in my case a basket, which I still do!! The boxes were used over and over again, I think that is a good idea but ti makes the front of the shop look messy so probably won't happen.
Interesting post.
XX Jeannine
This how I remember it being as well in the West indies when I was growing up, many a Wendy house was built by myself and sister with the large boxes that were used to bring home the groceries at the end of the month :D. But like here, shoppers there also think they can't cope with out the dreaded plastic bags. Our island is much smaller and the waste created from plastic is even more noticeable :(.
The case of the shop front looking to messy needs to be addressed for more safety reasons than anything else (can't have stacks of boxes falling down on people or causing obstructions), we as consumers need to relearn how to shop with our head rather than our eyes ::). If you (I direct this in a collective sense not at any one person) can see what I mean.
Very interesting post.
I like the idea of using IKEA blue bags, they are a good size and would work for us. The problem I have with the little cloth bags is that they don't hold very much, we seem to get a lot of big boxes and bottles! When I started shopping at Lidl they were a cash only enterprise, and did not supply any bags at all. We soon got used to reusing old ones or using a carboard box to pack in, which they usually have at the checkout areas.
I mourn the big 'egg boxes 'we used to get from the local market when I was a kid in London (they were about 5' x 2' for those of you who have no idea what I'm on about!) ....I lived all the summer holidays in one of those in the back garden, making 'dens'! My mum still laughs about it, what cheap entertainment eh!
Quote from: Jeannine on August 24, 2008, 12:08:39
... I remember clearly when we shopped years ago there was always a heap of cardboard boxes in the shop for packing groceries in, for everyday stuff we all carried a shopping bag or in my case a basket, which I still do!! The boxes were used over and over again, I think that is a good idea but ti makes the front of the shop look messy so probably won't happen ...
I have noticed in a couple of our local supermarkets (both Tesco and Asda) that they DO now put cardboard boxes by the tills and opposite the tills by the windows.
I agree with others that this is fantastic news that less bags will be used, I know what ACE is trying to say but as someone else has said on here, once people have to
pay for plastic bags they will use them more effectively and not just throw them away.
Years ago Sainsurys sold smart boxes. They were £2.45 each, but were 99p each for every £10.00 you spent, I have about ten of them, and they are wonderful. They are very strong, and have many uses around the house/garden.
I use them for putting weeds in, before tipping into the brown recycle bin. I also use them for putting washing in before pegging out. You can also buy lids for the boxes. I store potatoes in a box with a lid. They have many uses around the house. An absolute bargain.
I use them every time I go to Sainsburys, and therefore do not need plastic/carrier bags.
A couple of years ago I went to Waitrose, and was approached to have a John Lewis credit card, I tried to tell them that I didn't need another credit card, but was glad that they persuaded me. As part of the deal I received four (two large, and two smaller shopping bags), and having spent more than £50.00 got a free coolbag.
The only time I need carrier bags is when I visit any other supermarket.
valmarg
honeybee think you should complain to yur tesco`s customer services because you should be getting green points for all the bags you re-use not just your tesco ones.
joie
the reason supermarkets let you take home the cardboard is because they have to pay to landfill it! ;)
Quote from: tonybloke on August 25, 2008, 08:41:08
the reason supermarkets let you take home the cardboard is because they have to pay to landfill it! ;)
Yep sounds about right but surely that is a win win situation??
Use cardboard box instead of plastic, it doesn't get put in landfill by supermarket, no plastic littering planet and then when we have finished with the box we can recycle the cardboard, I put mine in my compost bins as brown ingredient.
Quote from: ACE on August 24, 2008, 10:09:15
The supermarkets are crowing about how much they care for the environment, but will sell you plastic bags instead.
No doubt some supermarkets will be stopping free carrier bags just to increase the till rings for larger profits on the saleable ones. How do you know just how many bags of shopping you will be buying for the family.
What about issuing brown paper bags for your shopping. They would then decompose.
Quote from: Slug_killer on August 24, 2008, 00:42:39
My local ASDA decided to stop plastic bags way back when it first became a political subject. (I think that was back in April/May - around local election time).
I think they stopped for a whole week before giving in.
we got done at asda for this one a full months shopping in three trolleys. Where are the bags to pack in i asked. sorry we aren't doing free ones any more they will be 3p each.
ever seen the chaos you cause when you leave 3 full trolleys by the checkout 1 full of frozen stuff and walk out of the store.
Still haven't been back
It's even better if you've got most of the stuff on the conveyor belt.
Tesco used to be dreadful. You'd put all your shopping on the belt, then some jobsworth supervisor and a security guard used to come up to the till and start cashing up, taking away notes and giving bags of change to the checkout girl
They used to take ages, checking off this that and the other. We had great pleasure, having been exasperated waiting ages to tell them, 'when you've done that, you can put that lot back on the shelves', and then walk out. ;D ;D ;D
valmarg
I bought a large roll of 'bio-degradable' poo bags for when me and dog go walk-about. The girl at the counter put it into a plastic bag.
I'll worry about the environment when the practice of 'One man-one airplane' and the like ceases.
Well I reckon we should make the most of those boxes which are kindly left for the customers to pack their goodies in because once H&S get to hear about it you can bet they will put a stop to it............."it is dangerous to leave it there because it could catch fire" or "it is dangerous because if there was a fire it could cause a hazard in a panic situation".... ::) ::)
twinkletoes
I don't drive so have my shopping delivered. I alternate between Asda, Tesco and Salisbury's and without fail they all seem to put just one or two items in each bag. I have toothpaste in a bag on it's own, shampoo in another, baked beans in another and on it goes. I get on average 42 bags per shop and that's for only £60 worth of shopping! If I had to pack the shopping I could easily get into into seven or eight bags. Often wondered how they can justify this when if I went to the store myself I would be charged for each bag. ???
Quoteif I went to the store myself I would be charged for each bag.
Have you checked your receipt?
;D
QuoteHave you checked your receipt?
I hadn't until now but pleased to say they haven't charged me. ;)
;D
What happened to the thick brown paper bags that they still use today in the states. At least they can go in our compost bins!!
Bring back the brown paper bag with handles!!.
Quote from: valmarg on August 28, 2008, 14:22:05
It's even better if you've got most of the stuff on the conveyor belt.
Tesco used to be dreadful. You'd put all your shopping on the belt, then some jobsworth supervisor and a security guard used to come up to the till and start cashing up, taking away notes and giving bags of change to the checkout girl
They used to take ages, checking off this that and the other. We had great pleasure, having been exasperated waiting ages to tell them, 'when you've done that, you can put that lot back on the shelves', and then walk out. ;D ;D ;D
valmarg
We caught a Pub Landlord like that once.
We ordered several pints of beer which he had put on the counter, when he noticed a 14 year old boy with us (could legally be in a Pub and drink minerals). He said "He can't come in here", we tried to explain but he was adamant, so we all walked out leaving the beer on the counter, without paying.
Quote from: springbokgirlie on August 29, 2008, 01:13:43
What happened to the thick brown paper bags that they still use today in the states. At least they can go in our compost bins!!
Bring back the brown paper bag with handles!!.
What about all the trees cut down to make that paper, that contributes to global warming.
Takes a long, long time to grow those trees.
Quote from: texas01 on August 28, 2008, 17:08:12
I don't drive so have my shopping delivered. I alternate between Asda, Tesco and Salisbury's and without fail they all seem to put just one or two items in each bag. I have toothpaste in a bag on it's own, shampoo in another, baked beans in another and on it goes. I get on average 42 bags per shop and that's for only £60 worth of shopping! If I had to pack the shopping I could easily get into into seven or eight bags. Often wondered how they can justify this when if I went to the store myself I would be charged for each bag. ???
i have mine delivered from tesco, they also have an option for refusing the bags unless necessary, if you pick that option you also get green points to your clubcard. i pick this option and only get approx 4 bags per monthly shopping.
Quote from: Larkshall on August 29, 2008, 07:42:13
Quote from: springbokgirlie on August 29, 2008, 01:13:43
What happened to the thick brown paper bags that they still use today in the states. At least they can go in our compost bins!!
Bring back the brown paper bag with handles!!.
What about all the trees cut down to make that paper, that contributes to global warming.
Takes a long, long time to grow those trees.
yes they do but you could use recyclable paper/ trees grown for paper manufacture ie a renewable source rather than an ancient forest.
well Ive just finshed reading this thread from page 1 till now
firstly there would be half the bags if the supermarkets changed there policy's about how things are merchandised and stored.
as i have to open all the plastic packaging when i get home as i havent the freezer space for it
only have so much space to store all those box bottels and jars
my point is before they want to charge me for plastic bags i might invoice them for the repackaging costs so there shelves can look all symmetrical ,
the stores have increased in size to allow for the new freezers to store there new packaging and so on
but who has paid for all this we have theres less staff to deal with us when we have a complaint (customer service) if you can find one
what about the cost of all this change by them the environmental costs of there latest venture SUPER STORES mmmmm
i want my butcher back the green grosser , the fish monger my brown bags with handles and plastic bags on a roll
Guess what we can re use them over and over
watch this space MR BROWN your out at the next election for stupid decision like this ripping us off //i dont drive a jaguar car cant afford it nor the petrol to put in it
but listen we arn't going to take it anymore
sorry to everyone for the griping plastic bags was a sore subject of mine countless emails to the conglomarets I'm not going to fit the bill for them
I must admit when I moved to France two years ago the lack of supermarket bags took a bit of getting used to. I am now prepared and do not miss them at all. When in the UK I refuse bags where possible and even my parents over there take their own bags with them. What works for me is:
- a fold up bag that I keep in my handbag (my sad sac) - I know lakeland sell them
- in my car - a large ikea bag for the light stuff, several reusable bags for general groceries, a cooler bag and most importantly a canvas bag for with holes for up to nine bottles
The only thing that takes some discipline is putting the bags back in the car once I have unpacked them.
Quote from: cocopops on August 29, 2008, 10:34:20
The only thing that takes some discipline is putting the bags back in the car once I have unpacked them.
My OH drives me crazy with this, he is the driver and i always put the bags we have for reusing on the key hook so when he next goes into the car he just has to pick them up with the keys and put back in the car. well LAWD!!! can he ever remember too, not in the slightest >:( drives me crazy ::)
Sainsbury's gave me a free fridge magnet which says 'Take an old bag shopping' as I was with my younger partner, he couldn't stop laughing and said he already had. We now have it on the fridge and it does make me laugh. I much prefer to go shopping on my own as we have to do it military fashion, march down every aisle with a list (which I never have) and if we are not out of the shop in 10 mins or have to wait at the till has a 'man sulk'. We then have to drive home very fast and I unpack so he can get control of the remote control. I then sometimes creep out again so I can look at all the 'buy one, get one free' and of course the plants, seeds, etc. He is very into re-usable bags, that he buys for 10p and heaven help me if I can't find them or have used them for the allotment. I just give his 10p back and tell him to stop moaning. I think we should bring back ration books, just for plastic bags, and every adult person can have two a week.