Any ideas how to reduce plastic usage?

[STYRBJORN]

1. Co-Op bags are photo-degradable

2. Not all plastics are recyclable. If it burns when heated it can't be recycled, if it melts it can. Over simplified but essentially correct. Recyclable could replace non-recyclable for many purposes but it costs more ab initio. £££$$$!!!

Your plastic hosepipe, you will be pleased to learn, is almost certainly made of recycled PU.

Jist a couple more random thoughts.

Ric

[basquesteve]

I'll stick my neck out,I think glass should be used where ever possible just like the old days on deposit, when a delivery is made to a shop or depot the vehicle runs empty or with space to return the glass to the original source. There is no need for glass banks. Children, as I did when I was younger, will find any thrown out and return them.

Here in France the supermarkets have not used plastic bags at the till for ages it causes no problems
Most of our fruit and vegetables are loose and unwrapped if you want just one tomato or apple you don't have to buy a big pack
We use very thin biodegradable plastic bags made from Maize and reuse them again in bins.
Steve

[nightshade]

The Americans use Brown paper bags, we used to use Brown paper carrier-bags, it was the supermarkets that introduced the plastic bag in the first place
There a bit of social history

[Red Robin]

Originally Posted by basquesteve

I'll stick my neck out, I think glass should be used where ever possible just like the old days...

....God idea in my opinion.

[nightshade]

Glass is very heavy to use in packaging, so uses more fuel and space in distribution which is why some coffee makers are using sachets instead

[Red Robin]

Originally Posted by nightshade

Glass is very heavy to use in packaging, so uses more fuel and space in distribution which is why some coffee makers are using sachets instead

....Good point. I missed that, though I'm not one to be bothered about burning petrol - In fact it's one of my favourite pastimes. Exclusively high octane Shell V-Power for me.

According to some TV adverts, to reduce packaging I've seen women using their bras to carry home instant coffee