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.
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 was in ASDA (Lincoln) today and apparently they will be stopping free carriers from next weekend (23 May 2009). Of course, they'll let you buy one instead.
I wonder how long it will last this time ?
Anybody know any other stores that are doing this ?
Here in France, none of the supermarkets I have been in to give out free carrier bags, if you want a carrier you have to buy the stronger 'bags for life' type carriers. After having my 'free carrier bag' UK head on when we first arrived I now unload the shopping and put the bags straight back in the car ready for next time.
our LOCAL co-op has stopped giving away free carrier bags ages ago!!
Our local Co-Op stopped putting carrier bags out - you had to ask for them. That seems to have reverted back to leaving them out for you to take at will now, though.
I was in Asda the other day, and they were giving out free reinforced bags. I've put them in my boot, and will try to remember to take them into the shop in future. I do reuse carrier bags, but not nearly as many as I've been taking home.
For minor shopping trips now I've taken to carrying my Home Bargains jute bag with me. I like it because it has long handles and I can carry it over my shoulder. Also, it hasn't got any silly slogans on it about saving the world with my bag. I won't carry one of those.
I try not to use any plastic bags at all when I go shopping.
If I am doing what for me is a "big shop" then I cycle the 2.5 miles to my Morrisons. That way I'm limited to what I can fit into my cycle panniers & my knapsack.
For my smaller shops that usually involve popping round the corner to the local co-op I have a couple of re-usable fabric bags I use, or alternatively a couple of small, plastic collapsible crates with handles, that are about the same size as a traditional hand-held basket.
I try as much as possible to avoid carrier bags & have even tried to get shops to let me use my own bag instead their carrier bags. I hate the way they make me their free advertising hoarding. I've found some are more amenable to it than others.
CC
I also cycle to Morrisons and load up my bicycle panniers. Amazing how much they will hold although last time got carried away and bought plants and 8 flower buckets for £1 plus all the shopping. I normally take shopping bags with me and if I forget don't mind paying 3p like I was charged in Lidll. I think it is a good idea to charge and makes people remember to take a bag/bags with them when they go shopping. All the old people have shopping baskets or trolleys, it is usually the young people that forget to have a bag. Going shopping without a bag is stupid if ones looks at that way.
We go to Morrisons, I usually take two bags that I made from woven plastic but we still need some carrier bags as we use them for refuse. It's not going to save anything if people then have to buy plastic bags to line the wheelie bins.
What's the problem with using carrier bags if we recycle them?
The supermarkets should use recycled plastic to make them instead of buying fresh plastic.
More opportunity should be given for people to recycle.