Carrier Bag Poll

Gill Catton · #26 (**permalink**) 11-09-2007, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by medieval knievel

if it's made mandatory across the board, people will do it.

in ireland, you don't have to pay for those filmy bags you use to bag your veg; only the carrier bags you get at the checkout. i'm not sure if the veg bags are exempt based on weight or on function, but there are still plenty of sliced pans being sold in bags. i don't see why they can't go back to wrapping these in paper.

I don't really see the point of those filmy bags except for tiny items like cherry tomtoes or grapes, everything else you can hold in your hand and you should wash or peel anyway before using..... I used to use these bags as standard without even thinking about it - until I went shopping with someone that doesn't, but now I try to avoid them as they are so thin you can't even re-use them for much.. at least carrier bags get re-used in my house as bin bags I use them instead of boxes wherever I can when I move or pack things away.

Billy Wobble Dagger · #27 (**permalink**) 11-09-2007, 10:45 AM

Why can't all fruit and veg be sold seperatly instead of being bagged or on a tray with cling film, which can't be recycled. Are some people really to lazy to choose four apples or two baking potatoes them selves. The loose items could then be placed in brown paper bags, like we do with mushrooms.

BWD

kshotton45 · #28 (**permalink**) 11-09-2007, 01:23 PM

When you see Americans shopping they always seem to have armfuls of brown paper bags. This seems to be the way forwards, make them from re cycled paper and re cycle them again. In the meantime, charge for platic bags to deter people from using them. Even if the paper bags aren't recycled, at least they are bio degradeable.

keith.

ZooSi · #29 (**permalink**) 11-09-2007, 01:38 PM

I went shopping in the Sainsbury's store in central Reading one day to find that they were out of normal thin carriers and were instead distributing the thicker 'bag-for-life' style carriers. Although this was probably due to a simple distribution mistake with the supermarket not getting a new delivery, I began to wonder whether it would be better off if supermarkets were only allowed to 'sell' bags for life, and scrap (the wrong term to use undoubtedly) disposables. This would also avoid the problem of bags breaking when being re-used.

Si

Gill Catton · #30 (**permalink**) 11-09-2007, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZooSi

I went shopping in the Sainsbury's store in central Reading one day to find that they were out of normal thin carriers and were instead distributing the thicker 'bag-for-life' style carriers. Although this was probably due to a simple distribution mistake with the supermarket not getting a new delivery, I began to wonder whether it would be better off if supermarkets were only allowed to 'sell' bags for life, and scrap (the wrong term to use undoubtedly) disposables. This would also avoid the problem of bags breaking when being re-used.

Si

Its how they do it in the part of france I went to, people then bring their own holdalls and rucksacks instead of paying for the bags.

galanthus · #31 (**permalink**) 11-09-2007, 02:09 PM

I usually do large grocery shops online and while ordering online from Tesco yesterday I was given the option of a delivery with carrier bags or without

I've gone for without as it means only getting the shopping from one room to the other so don't need any. Will see how it goes.

medieval knievel · #32 (**permalink**) 11-09-2007, 08:13 PM

i used to work for a large supermarket, and the amount of bags they'd get in coming up to christmas was astounding. basically, one of the rooms off the storeroom essentially became a large block of plastic. a few years after i worked there, they'd started to use a storeroom above the staff canteen for storing the bags, until the floor gave way with the weight of them. two people injured, not too badly.

Jez · #33 (**permalink**) 17-09-2007, 09:18 PM

Before the Poll closes i would just like to say thanks to all who have replied to my Poll. All the best-jez.

Gaz-W · #34 (**permalink**) 17-09-2007, 09:30 PM

I think they should definitely charge for carrier bags and think it terrible that they stopped years ago. I remember when I was a child they charged for bags so most people you would see in the shops would be carrying used bags with them. We always had a carrier bag full of them that we would reuse over and over again.

Another thing that was a lot more eco friendly that I'd like to see come back is the old milk bottle. The milk marketing board was well ahead of the game when it came to recycling as did a lot of breweries. And the pop wagon that used to come down the street on a night. If you saved up seven bottles you could get a free bottle. I always went for Dandelion and Burdock

peppermint · #35 (**permalink**) 18-09-2007, 09:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ollie

No problem with them charging for them as we never use them. All our supermarket shopping goes back into a trolley after checkout and then to the car boot where it's put in plastic carrying boxes that we have had years. Same at any other shops where we need to carry goods, we have our own lightweight carrying bags that are reusable
Roger

I really like this box in the boot idea. I usually have my big rucksack with me but there are occasions where i completely forget and i do end up using the plastic bags, stuffing as many goods in it as possible.

I am definatly up for there being a price on plastic bags. It will make people think a bit more before they leave the house with no bag.

Hawk · #36 (**permalink**) 22-09-2007, 07:19 PM

I think we should pay for carrier bags.

It may stop some school children get a bag and then dropping it, not caring bout the impact it would have one the environment. Though i dont think most children will do this. I could be wrong though.

Theraphosidae · #37 (**permalink**) 29-09-2007, 02:57 PM

I too think we should be charged for carrier bags.

I try to avoid using them wherever possible, I also always take a rucksack with me when I'm shopping, regardless of where.

galanthus · #38 (**permalink**) 29-09-2007, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by galanthus

I usually do large grocery shops online and while ordering online from Tesco yesterday I was given the option of a delivery with carrier bags or without

I've gone for without as it means only getting the shopping from one room to the other so don't need any. Will see how it goes.

Well, I tried without, however, the driver waited about 8 minutes while we tried to unpack the crates. My partner and I felt pressured into trying to empty them quickly as he had the engine running whilst we were doing it. I suggested perhaps he turn this off while he waited as this was defeating the object of being environmentally friendly, however, I was informed that it would take more fuel to restart the engine than keep it running

Not sure if this was such a good option after all

and may go back to just giving him the emptly carrier bags when he delivers as before.

smartie · #39 (**permalink**) 29-09-2007, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by galanthus

Well, I tried without, however, the driver waited about 8 minutes while we tried to unpack the crates. My partner and I felt pressured into trying to empty them quickly as he had the engine running whilst we were doing it. I suggested perhaps he turn this off while he waited as this was defeating the object of being environmentally friendly, however, I was informed that it would take more fuel to restart the engine than keep it running

Not sure if this was such a good option after all

and may go back to just giving him the emptly carrier bags when he delivers as before.

I've been suggsting to Tesco for years that they do something about the problem of online shopping being delivered in a ridiculous number of bags - I've frequently had a carrier bag among the heap with just one small item in it. I'm glad they are at least doing something about it now, but I have never seen why they couldn't give (or sell) us reusable crates that we could exchange when the new shopping was received. I've stopped using the delivery service now I'm not working - I take my own bags to the shop.

Blackbrook Eye · #40 (**permalink**) 29-09-2007, 05:41 PM

My local co-op supermarket has been issuing biodegradable bags for a long time, at least going some way towards a solution, and they do break down after a few months as I found when one in my shed, that I had without thinking, used to store onions, had all but disintegrated. I am advised that the bags are made from a form of corn starch, but could be wrong about this.

galanthus · #41 (**permalink**) 29-09-2007, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blackbrook Eye

My local co-op supermarket has been issuing biodegradable bags for a long time, at least going some way towards a solution, and they do break down after a few months as I found when one in my shed, that I had without thinking, used to store onions, had all but disintegrated. I am advised that the bags are made from a form of corn starch, but could be wrong about this.

Sounds like a great idea, perhaps the concept will spread

Blackbrook Eye · #42 (**permalink**) 29-09-2007, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blackbrook Eye

My local co-op supermarket has been issuing biodegradable bags for a long time, at least going some way towards a solution, and they do break down after a few months as I found when one in my shed, that I had without thinking, used to store onions, had all but disintegrated. I am advised that the bags are made from a form of corn starch, but could be wrong about this.

I should add that I also use these bags to hold rubbish in the wheely bin, rather than the large black plastic abominations that the council reccomend

octarine fire · #43 (**permalink**) 29-09-2007, 07:56 PM

I don't use plastic carrier bags anymore, I make material ones and give them away to other people too!

morsbags sociable guerilla bagging

Paul mabbott · #44 (**permalink**) 29-09-2007, 08:19 PM

Don't know about Council recommendations but it's years since we've bought black bags. We use the ones left by charities to collect donations. With the best will in the world we can't fill them all (although we do like to donate all our excess goodies to charities - surely one of the best methods of recycling?)
I'm appalled to see some people putting the charity bags straight into their waste bins

Seems some people have no imagination even if they do have some concern ...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blackbrook Eye

I should add that I also use these bags to hold rubbish in the wheely bin, rather than the large black plastic abominations that the council reccomend

aestarte · #45 (**permalink**) 29-09-2007, 10:47 PM

I was reading today in Readers Digest about Rebecca Hosking who turned her whole town Modbury in Devon plastic bag free because of the damage she saw being done to the wildlife, this is a really good idea but i have to beg the question why arn't the powers that be doing this why does it have to be Joe public that has to do it, probably no money in it. I have to say the only plastic bags I use are for my dog but i wont go in to that. Yes you should have to pay for plastic bags and they should be a price noone is willing to pay so they all get used to bringing thier own bags.Fi.X X X X

Dogwood · #46 (**permalink**) 27-10-2007, 07:49 PM

YES. Though the shops I go in seem to put your shopping into a new plastic carrier bag automatically and don't give you a chance to use a bag you took in with you.

Jez · #47 (**permalink**) 27-10-2007, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dogwood

YES. Though the shops I go in seem to put your shopping into a new plastic carrier bag automatically and don't give you a chance to use a bag you took in with you.

Even though the Poll closed some time back i would still like to say thanks for your feelings and would also like to take the opportunity to wish you a warm welcome to WAB

hannahpanda · #48 (**permalink**) 03-11-2007, 05:48 PM

We try to use the "bags for life" but if we use plastic bags we put them in the recycling bins outside supermarkets or reuse them.

colincurry · #49 (**permalink**) 03-11-2007, 08:05 PM

I haven't read all the posts on this topic so I may be repeating what has gone before.

Some years ago, we were in Indcia in the Nilgiri Hills where plastic bags had been banned. The difference in the environment was staggering - and for the better. Perhaps the idea is too simple or there are too many vested interests.

I am not a scientist but we live in area where certain plastics are re-cycled. Why does the government permit the manufacture and use of plastic packaging that cannot be re-cycled? Again, why are so many items over packaged?

Colin

stripee · #50 (**permalink**) 04-11-2007, 01:01 PM

I have a trolley on wheels, there are ones now that are quite colourful. And are handy when using smaller shops. I would like to be able to strip off all the packaging inside the supermarket and put it in their bins (or on their floor). If supermarkets have to recycle it themselves perhaps there would be less of it

You can take carrier bags back to some supermarkets and they will give you "A bag for life", but this doesn't help all the other plastic bags they dish out for other items and those plastic trays either. I don't get a recyc

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