Forum Topic

Scotland to charge for carrier bags

... and England remains the odd one out...http://www.thegrocer.co.uk/topics/scotland-to-charge-for-carrier-bags-from-2014/344730.article

Philippa Bond ● 4827d14 Comments

and thank goodness, too.  Much as I agree in principle (and always try to bring my own bags), I find it really annoying when you've spent a small fortune in a store somewhere and the want you to pay 3p for a bag.  And call me cynical, but I don't think those pennies go to help clear up the environmental waste and bags found in rivers and seas.

Kim Bobsin ● 4827d

But they've already created a method of dealing with people who buy too much for their hands, bags, bicycle basket, car ....  it's called home delivery.. in a van!http://www.theecologist.org/investigations/waste_and_recycling/268975/the_perils_of_plastic_amnesia.html

Philippa Bond ● 4827d

When I do order groceries to be delivered they still seem to come in plastic carrier bags, often more than I would use, with just 1 or 2 items in each bag.  More wasteful.

Kim Bobsin ● 4827d

Ireland has been charging 50c or 1 euro for bags for more than ten years very successfully. Stores no longer have bags available as no one wants to pay. People bring their own bags, or in my case (I usually start my shopping unprepared) they sigh at my lack of planning and get me a box to carry my groceries. I soon remember to bring a bag. In fairness to the home delivery people, they will they seem to have some kind of packing system that requires a lot of bags, but they will take them back when they call again. Plastic carrier bags are only a habit it seems.

Maire Lowe ● 4827d

I have a standing instruction for home delivery to say no bags - it works: they only wrap bottles, the rest is loose. Only use one supermarket, so don't know about the others, but would have thought it was possible to ask for no bags when placing an order.

Lorna Dodd ● 4827d

So it can be done!I find that it is hard to stop ALL of them but easy to seriously REDUCe the number.  It's easier when the rest of the family help.Here's the wonderful essay:The Perils of Plastic Amnesia by Matthew Carmichaelhttp://ecologist.testing.net-genie.co.uk/investigations/waste_and_recycling/83154/the_perils_of_plastic_amnesia.html

Philippa Bond ● 4827d

I've had home deliveries from Tesco a couple of times and there is an option when you're ordering for no bags.

Susan Kelly ● 4827d

Do you end up buying a lot more though when you order online?I sort of feel that once you are no longer able to measure the amount by basket or trolley it could get totally out of control...  and you'd find yourself playing catch-up to eat everything that you've bought...  or wasting more.

Philippa Bond ● 4827d

I only do an online order when I've run out of large, heavy, and/or bulky things: loo rolls, cat food, tins of soup, washing liquid, etc. I buy from Tesco (was being coy before and didn't mention them!) using my 'favourites' list so you are presented with the things you usually buy and only get tempted by special offers if they're relevant. I've never bought and wasted stuff from an online order, but I usually buy perishable things in a 'real' shop.

Lorna Dodd ● 4826d

Philippa - I do all my supermarket shopping on line - I've got slight mobility problems and I don't want to rely on Morrisons for my shopping!  It's marvellous to get heavy or bulky things delivered, and although there may be slight temptation to overbuy, you soon stop doing it!  And although they use carrier bags, no doubt because of the automated packing system, they collect them when the next order is delivered.

Nina Battleday ● 4826d

In france bags are not given to customers in supermarkets.  Customers remember to bring their own.  This is the way forward.  I suspect the bag manufacturers in this country have great influence in our prime ministers office.

dee cook ● 4825d

I found it easier to budget on line shopping as you have a running total as you shop. If I exceed the amount I want to spend I remove a few items to remain on budget. It is easier to stick to a list as you are not tempted by in store temptations.

Kim Rugg ● 4825d

Is there the same need to eat before you shop or you get tempted?This is one reason why 'popping out' to the supermarket for a pint of milk can be expensive.  It could have been cheaper to have had the milk delivered by the milkman!

Philippa Bond ● 4824d

Morrisons have signed up Ocado to do home deliveries so that should give more choice.  We just have to make sure they know that we don't want all those bags and all that packaging.  The reason we have it to dispose of is because we took so long to rebel against it.

Philippa Bond ● 4824d