Supermarket Shopping Bags

[QuietLife]

Charging for plastic shopping bags (compulsory from 2015) and giving the proceeds to environmental charities is all very well. It may reduce consumption but won't end it. Many purchases are impromptu shops when the buyer does not have bags with them. Can anyone explain why shops do not provide the brown paper grocery bags (such as those used in the USA) and charge for those instead?

[B00]

So you recommend cutting down more trees to make these brown bags?

[QuietLife]

I would always go for the least harmful option. I don't recommend cutting down trees, I don't recommend anything. I am asking if this would be a better option and looking for an answer. I would have thought sustainable forests would produce them and the consumer would pay. Better than having wildlife trapped in handles of plastic bags and the unsightly waste of dumped plastic bags. But if paper isn't better, then I am happy to have that explained. I was seeking advice not expressing an opinion. :)

[B00]

ok, to answer your question, using paper bags is not a better option. The better option is what we're being steered towards...take your own bags or buy one.

Regarding the impromptu shopper remark and them not maybe having bag with them..is 5p really that much to pay for one if you need it?

[B00]

And...

Paper bags are most certainly not the least harmful option.

http://www.treehugger.com/culture/paper-bags-or-plastic-bags-everything-you-need-to-know.html

[elliemay1]

Paper bags are obviously not as durable. In N.I the charge is working well. No real complaints.

[sandyRoe]

We should go back to the days of the reticule or the wicker shopping basket. The small charge, 5p in NI, has seen a massive reduction in the number of plastic bags used. That can only be a good thing.

[LazyGun]

Its an interesting conundrum ;) I thought paper bags might represent a better option too, but the answer to that is "not necessarily"

From WRAP (Govt. funded charity on wrapping materials for the retail and consumer industry)

http://www.wrap.org.uk/content/carrier-bags-material-matters-0

I think, secretly, they wish to encourage all to carry our shopping home in our pockets, pants legs and arms ;)

I now have around 4 re-usable carrier bags permanently stored in the car, which is great if I happen to be shopping when I am in the car. Otherwise, its donation time at the till.

[Gromit]

5p is not going to discourage anyone from buying a plastic bag. And supermarkets are about concenience, so being able to get a bag is convenient.

Perhaps the spermarkets should offer a choice, a bag made from recycled paper for 5p or a plastic bag for 10p.

The problem with plastic bags is not really the waste in oil to produce them, it is the non-biodegradabilty in landfill and the litter mess when they get blown into trees and about our street. A biodegradable, recyclable paper bag, itself made from recycled paper is the way forward. (or backward even).

[VHG]

>>>>5p is not going to discourage anyone from buying a plastic bag.

Well it obviously does in Wales where use of plastic bags in supermarkets has gone down 70% since they introduced a small charge.

[modeller]

What size bags are included ? Some bags are very small indeed.

[Roo_power]

I always carry a bag with me, in a pocket, handbag and in the boot. You can buy nylon bags that fold up and fit in their own tiny bag. Very useful.

[jomifl]

I find that I can usually manage to transport 'impromptu' purchases by means of my hands.

[jomifl]

Mrs. Jom recently managed to get 2 bottles of wine and a loaf and some cheese in her handbag (by Tardis of piccadilly :o))

[Roo_power]

Good sized handbag, that!

[jomifl]

I now understand why they are so expensive, it's because of the built in space warping technology.

[Roo_power]

It's where the idea for TARDIS came from.

[237SJ]

The Whole Foods Market in the US uses recycled paper for it`s bags. I`m sure that`s more environmentally friendly than plastic, whether it costs 5p or not.

[hc4361]

I line my kitchen bin and bathroom bin with supermarket carrier bags, the bins were designed to re-use the bags.

So the government would prefer me to buy single use bin bags instead of recycling carrier bags when they are no longer fit for purpose?

[hc4361]

Furthermore, if I am expected to pay for a carrier bag I will not expect it be advertising the store. Plain white for me, please.

[bazwillrun]

"environmental charities"

ag aga ag !

picture the hold ups as people when asked for the 5p per bag say no and then leave the shopping all piled up.

Nothing more than another tax