I really have a problem with this

[WSJ689]

in the Bay Area most cities have passed a law against plastic bags in supermarkets and most supermarkets have a collection point for plastic bags. they also charge you for using bags provided by them but if you bring your own you get money off you order, not much but something, so the plastic bags are pretty much gone in supermarkets as they all are switching or will be switching to paper

[stickyvicky]

I think they should do that everywhere.

[PeterL22]

Snag is over here you get charged for paper bags as well - seems to defeat the object of the exercise (and increases the cost of a chap's wardrobe)!

[stickyvicky]

I agree that is absolutely ridiculous. What a waste, most packaging is just a waste.

[PeterL22]

I agree that is absolutely ridiculous. What a waste, most packaging is just a waste.

Hey Vicky - you say that with THAT avatar - now that packaging works for me!

[CGYMike]

I look at the type of packaging that vendors use now to "protect" their customers from being victims of shoplifting...sometimes at the request of the customer. Some of the smallest items have the biggest plastic packages so that thieves can't just drop them in a pocket and walk out the door. Our landfills are getting filled with this crap and we just bulldoze it into piles for all eternity...very sad.

On a positive note however some companies like Sony are turning away from environmentally harmful clamshell packaging like this example..thats good to see but more companies have to get onboard.

[PeterL22]

Just to add to the packaging rant - how many of you have sustained injuries whilst trying to open some of these damn things. Shrink wrapped stuff where you end uo stabbing yourself with scissors is the worse for me!

[hotjulie]

I don't remember the last time I used a plastic bag, I've been using reusable bags for a long time.

It drives me crazy all the packaging that goes into to things, and yes I've cut my hands more then once trying to open some damn things

[PeterL22]

I do use plastic bags - paper ones are no good in wet, rainy UK. But I do reuse them many times.
we pay the5p tax on having bags to carry shopping. The big supermarkets should be taxed on shrink wrap for things like fruit & veg and meat etc.
That might make a difference - hit 'em where it hurts - right in the profit margin!

[WalterB]

Unfortunately, "hitting them in the profit margin" never works. They just raise the prices, which means the consumer pays more.

[PeterL22]

Fair comment . I knew of someone who when they bought say 4 apples that were in tray with clingfilm, took them out of tray and wrapping and just took apples and barcode to checkout - always caused problems!

[WalterB]

Because the barcode is for the 4-pack. We sometimes forget or don't realize those little details.

[PeterL22]

Hey walter - I usually get the six pack and offer the bar code for the 4 pack!
They can afford it.

[mrjosh85]

Good read:
http://www.nbcnews.com/business/busines ... ys-n580926
The Law of Unintended Consequences is always in play.

When you think about, it really shouldn't be that much of a issue. All we are talking about is a method for quick transport -- from a cart into a vehicle, and from the vehicle to the kitchen. Rather than the government punishing people for using plastic bags, it may work better to incentivize communities (via state and local governments) to use eco bags by making them publicly available outside grocery stores, as well as return stations throughout town. Certainly some people would lose them, others would keep them, and some would even hoard them, but eco bags can be manufactured very cheaply these days, and if they are abundant, easily accessible, and easily dropped off whenever you remember that you have a few in your back seat, it should have a positive outcome.

A societal change, which is what is happening in parts of Japan, is what pushes people in the right direction. Less people smoke because it is now stigmatized. If some people started using eco bags that were provided as stated above, others would follow. But if you need plastic bags for your kitchen sink, the grocery store would still have them for free.

[PeterL22]

Good read:
http://www.nbcnews.com/business/busines ... ys-n580926
The Law of Unintended Consequences is always in play.

When you think about, it really shouldn't be that much of a issue. All we are talking about is a method for quick transport -- from a cart into a vehicle, and from the vehicle to the kitchen. Rather than the government punishing people for using plastic bags, it may work better to incentivize communities (via state and local governments) to use eco bags by making them publicly available outside grocery stores, as well as return stations throughout town. Certainly some people would lose them, others would keep them, and some would even hoard them, but eco bags can be manufactured very cheaply these days, and if they are abundant, easily accessible, and easily dropped off whenever you remember that you have a few in your back seat, it should have a positive outcome.

A societal change, which is what is happening in parts of Japan, is what pushes people in the right direction. Less people smoke because it is now stigmatized. If some people started using eco bags that were provided as stated above, others would follow. But if you need plastic bags for your kitchen sink, the grocery store would still have them for free.

Great idea in theory, but not sure people here would reuse a bag that someone else had previously used. Especially for unwrapped fruit & veg (then we get back to plastic shrink wrap etc). A while ago here, some of the big supermarkets did a "Bag for Life" scheme where the shopper bought a bag (variety of materials available), and used it repeatedly. The "for life" bit was that if the bag split or the handles came off, then the store would replace it for free. I've had the ones I use for supermarket shopping for 6 - 7 years now - they are larger than usual plastic carrier bags, so 2 or 3 will hold my weekly shop. Only question I have is will they still honour their original promise? Hope they do cos it was a good deal and reduces the 6 or 7 plastic bags I used per week to Zero!
And no the one in the avatar isn't one I use for shopping

I have a ski mask for that (LOL)