Stop Taking Plastic Bags From Shops
134 is the number of plastic bags produced each year for each person, in Britain. Add them together and you have eight billion plastic bags produced a year. And hardly surprising – they are a brilliant invention – lightweight, strong, waterproof, cheap, accessible. They make life so much easier.
In fact, since they overtook earlier carrying devices – the knapsack, the string bag, the paper bag, the cardboard box, the little-old lady, tartan box-trolley – we’ve become a plastic-bag planet. Americans use 100 billion plastic bags a year – 99% going straight into the rubbish after one use. Which helps explain why the entire world is tangled up in the things.
In South Africa the plastic bag is known as ‘the national flower’. In North America it’s called ‘urban tumbleweed’.
And every time one of these hi-tec innovations is thrust at us by an unsuspecting shop-assistant we make a choice, however subtle, about what we think of our planet and those we share it with.
A plastic bag can be a matter of life and death. One Indian state is banning them after floods left a thousand people dead. Plastic bags had choked the drains. You see…. the wonderful strength of a plastic bag is also its fatal weakness. It will hold all your shopping all the way home … but it will also take a thousand years to disintegrate. And if we use them as if they have no environmental implications, then manufacturers will keep making them – there is no pressure to switch to bio-degradable versions.
So it’s time to ditch the placcy bag – to buy canvas bags or use ‘bags for life’ instead. To take your rucksack with you when you go shopping or load up small children – excellent exercise.
The Aussies have got some great ideas
Godalming, GB , 22 Aug 2005
I’ve started a collection of non-plastic shopping bags since I undertook to do this. I already had a few cloth ones from time spent in Germany and apart from those sent unsolicited with Bishopston trading orders I have added one Fair Trade bag, one with the Traidcraft logo, one from Out of this World in Beeston, Nottingham and an extra sturdy one from the Iona Community shop. I forgot to mention the jute (or hessian) bag I got from One World and the shoulder bag I bought in the Christian Aid tent at Greenbelt over the last two years.
To the jute Fair Trade bag I ordered from Traidcraft last year, which is great to keep a collection of bags in the car boot ready for supermarket shopping trips, I have now added one slightly smaller one advertising local farmers’ markets (helps me to remember when they are, too) and one even smaller one from the visitor centre in Kilmartin, site of various prehistoric cairns and stone circles, in Scotland.
My manager at work expressed an interest in the growing collection the other day, but it would probably be best if I took a break from acquiring any more for the time being. There is a limit to how many bags anyone person can have a use for, after all.
24 Aug 2005
Finding this very difficult; they move so fast, those shop assistants.
Worcester, GB , 24 Aug 2005
I agree with John on this. I tend to spend so much time either chatting with the cashier or trying to keep up with the flow of items that I instinctively reach for the carrier bags without a thought. I then end up recycling them back at Tescos (which is good I suppose?). I’ll need to get more organised with a supply of appropriate bags to succeed. Oh, and I’ll choose the grumpy guy who always gets put on the end checkout in order to stop the chatter ;)
Midhurst, GB , 25 Aug 2005
“Try to remember to take old carriers with you when you shop …” Recycled loads at Tescos last night as I went in (felt virtuous) Then didn’t have enough to put my shopping in when I’d shopped (felt foolish) So after paying I had to put stuff in my trolley and get carriers back out of recycling when outside the shop (felt deviant) I’ll keep trying.
taunton, GB , 30 Aug 2005
yes, i think planning ahead is the key! a few fabric bags that live in your car (or on back of your bike!) or in your handbag/male version of handbag… etc… is a good thing.
once you get used to it, it becomes the natural thing to do, and most shopkeepers don’t seem to think it’s too odd.
i think i need to get some waterproof bags though as fabric ones can get wet and yucky if walking back from town.
one day…!
Godalming, GB , 31 Aug 2005
We went shopping for school uniform the Wednesday before Greenbelt and it was pouring with rain, so I decided not to take any bags and rely on waterproof plastic bags from the shops for bigger items – small ones could go in with other things.
I could have taken a strong supermarket plastic bag if I’d thought.
Sometimes I want thin supermarket bags as bin liners and also for when I’m selling Traidcraft in case I don’t have enough Traidcraft bags – a shame they don’t do the brown paper ones anymore.
We also need to realise it takes time and effort to get into a new habit. Wanting to change is a big achievement, making the change some of the time is another big achievement.
I was heartened by a quote from Brother Roger, who apparently said we need to allow 7 years to get rid of all non-essential items from our lives. I should think this is true for any major change in habits such as the YoLG is proposing.
Maybe we need a new title, “Seven years to a more generous life”! ;0)
I’m sure a lot of us can take heart from what we’ve achieved in one year if we take that as our motto/goal. :0)
04 Sep 2005
Slightly lapsed here, as I use bags for life, but occasionally stock up on ordinary supermarket bags to line our kitchen waste bin (and to use for packing shoes in suitcases).
However, since the bin has a removable bucket, we really don’t need to line it, except that means cleaning the bucket (using detergent!) and the bags are better for carrying the waste out front to the dustbin. Sigh…
07 Sep 2005
I was trying hard with this, but somehow the pile of plastic bags kept growing.
However, I’ve just bought a rather lovely shopping bag (at Greenbelt, in fact) which has been great for food and grocery shopping. So far, so no more new bags.
08 Sep 2005
The thing I hate is the strange look people give you when you say ‘no’ to a carrier bag. Had a cracking row with a shop assistant in Primark once who insisted I had to have a carrier bag. ‘No I don’t’ I told her. Several ‘oh no it isn’t’s later, I threatned to walk off sans sale and promptly won. Customer is always right and all that…
13 Sep 2005
We do use plastic bags for doggie business and my wife also uses them for her job (commmunity nurse – old people’s bandages etc) – is this OK? I’ve got a few bags for life, too – so be gentle…
Worcester, GB , 17 Sep 2005
I had managed to eliminate using carrier bags by pushing my shopping trolley home (I live within 500m of the supermarket). This also saved using the car when doing the weekly shop. However, Tescos have now installed brakes on their trolleys, preventing me from doing this. I’ll have to buy a trolley instead, but cannot bear the thought of using one of those zip-up tartan ones my gran used to have :)
30 Sep 2005
I run into what Phil was talking about alot, but as I shop in the same places frequently they eventually see it coming. I also tend to start shopping at stores that ‘reward’ people who bring their own bags (Wholefoods give you a couple cents for each bag you bring in yourself – I’m sure to a point)
It would be nice if (especially smaller purchases) the store made bags and opt-in, instead of an opt-out. You’d have to ask for a bag. But that would require a change at the store level… I guess we can hope.
London, GB , 30 Sep 2005
I was shocked into working much harder on this when I once tried to buy two lemons (and nothing else) and the checkout assistant needed to be told three times that no, I didn’t need a bag.
Using cloth bags also has the distinct advantage of their being much easier to carry for those of us who don’t use a car when shopping.
Edinburgh, GB , 30 Sep 2005
I similarly run into what Phil was talking about – I generally don’t get asked if I want a bag and it often takes quite some assertiveness to ask then to take your shopping out of their new bag and put it into the old bag I’ve proferred. Basket only tills are particularly bad for this at supermarkets as they tend to just put the shopping straight into a bag after they scan it and it’s a break from their routine to get them to put it into somewhere else. Grrr.
On the flip side, I keep forgetting that B&Q now charge you for bags and have paid for many of their bags after trips there – trying to be environmentally friendly by parking miles away and then having to take a bag to carry the stuff to the car!!
Kilkenny, IE , 30 Sep 2005
Last year Ireland brought a new tax on Carrier bags which has been very succesful. Its amazing how many people now remember to bring their shopping bags with them!
30 Sep 2005
I am working on this. I bought several strong Sainsbury’s bags. They are nice and big. I had quite a few cloth ones, but they are quite small.Maybe I should use them to put produce into-I’m sure that would cause a stir at the checkout.
Shopping local helps with this. The man at our local shop now knows that I will use my basket and I don’t need to say anything (unless I have forgotten the basket and need a bag!!).
Brighton, GB , 08 Nov 2006
I’ve just updated my progress on this to ‘Done!’ after my last shopping trip where I forgot my handy stash of ‘bags for life’. I rather rabidly said to the checkout man “NO! I don’t need a bag thanks!” and then struggled out the shop door clutching in my arms about 10 items determined not to take a plastic bag! I may be nuts but I reckon I’m ‘done’ on this one…
The Onya bags mentioned already do look great. I’m thinking of ordering some from their website. Christian Aid also do a very nice new sturdy shopper with the words “None of us is disposable” on the side which is quite a satisfying message to be promoting I reckon.
30 Sep 2005
We have the Waitrose recycle, heavy duty bags. It is great to hear comments from shop staff when we say we do not need their shops bags. They are all positive. (Some even ask how to get hold of them). Also I have a bag specically for my wheelchair. It is amazing to see what will go in it and we rarely have plastic carrier bags now.
01 Oct 2005
i have a good sized handbag which i fit most small purchases without needing a carrier bag. and a granny shopping trolley for grocery shopping. at the market i insist that things are put in paper bags or straight into the basket rather than into plastic first. i found that i now automatically say i dont need a bag, which means that i have to think about asking for a bag on those occassions when i need one, rather than having to remember not to take one. it does mean that i never have bags to use for garbage collection tho…
04 Oct 2005
First action on my list – coz I want something fairly easy to start with.
My main problem, though, is I’m a bit disorganised, so I’ll find it hard to remember to take a bag whenever I head for the shops. Storing a bag or two in the outside pocket of my backpack would be a good start, though…
Shouldn’t we be writing to MPs etc, demanding a tax on plastic bags, like in Ireland? (Maybe this is already an Action on the list… I’m still finding my way round, here)
South London, GB , 05 Oct 2005
I pretty much always forget to take bags with me to the shops – although if with Elias I use the buggy. Have a bit of a campaign going with my local Pret store, who although are quite good on their general ethos are rubbish at not asking if you’d like a bag but instead thrust one at you plus about twenty knapkins. Note to self – write to the manager next.
05 Oct 2005
have bought sainsburys large bags for shopping, fine as long as they’re in the car also M & S do a nice smaller one for the not so busy shopping day-doesn’t get used much tho.. we have a shop ourselves and the tax on plastic bags and packaging is talked about a lot at the moment some shops down here are starting to charge for carriers, we wait for people to ask for them unless they have a lot of goods.
07 Oct 2005
It took me ages to get in the habit of taking my Bags for Life to the shops, but now I don’t even have to think about it.
As we unpack the bags at home, we stuff them all into one bag and leave it by the front door to put back in the car boot next time we go out.
I find my Bags for Life last at least a year.
Also, those bottle carriers are brilliant to keep and fill with your empty glass bottles, jars etc to take to the recycle bin. I pack them flat afterwards, and keep in my porch.
09 Oct 2005
Very difficult to remember to take our own bags to the shops. This will take some time to become a habit!
09 Oct 2005
I have loads of good quality but not fashionable furnisging fabric. I have decided to use it to make simple but strong shopping bags and sell them at church to encourage others to kick the plastic bag habit and maybe even raise some funds for charity at the same time.
Leicester, GB , 10 Oct 2005
hmmm, bags, who would have thought so much could be said on the subject!:P My shopping habits are a little erratic. I am a student and I don’t have a car or a bike so I don’t do very much shopping at a time, just a bag or two… but it is always fairly impulse so I don’t always have a bag about my person… I do say ‘no’ to bags if I don’t need one and I quite enjoy the response, I’ve left many a shop assistant rhapsodising about recycling…
11 Oct 2005
I was brought up by a very environmentally conscious mum and dad, who always took there own shopping bags to Sainsbury’s!! My dad even taught me how to pack them efficiently. Bless him!! I always try to remember to take a fabric bag in my handbag, or loads for big shopping. And take great pride in turning down plastic bags. I had an incident recently in Clark’s where the woman serving me said I had to have a bag as proof of purchase. It wasn’t until I got down the stairs that I realised that my receipt is for that, so my son and I took out the shoes, put them in our rucksack, dumped the carrier in the shop and left. We felt like right political activists!!! It was dead exciting!! Like Vivienne, I have also been making, with the help of my mum (she’ll shout at me if I don’t mention her!!), shopping bags out of recycled fabric, to sell at church. Great minds think alike, eh? I have also been making recycled jewellery to sell.
Godalming, GB , 17 Oct 2005
It isn’t always easy to remember to take a bag with you. I’ve found it helps to have a cloth one to put in my rucksack-cum-handbag and a hessian bag full of cloth and reusable plastic bags in the boot. Even then I have been known to forget, especially if I dash to the shop after an evening at work.
You do have to be awake and assertive in some shops in order to avoid your goods being bagged before you know it. I guess we should try to be generous when refusing bags and do so as graciously as possible. Some people do seem to be a bit offended if you don’t want their bag.
19 Oct 2005
I’ve been refusing plastic bags for a quite some time (even before I joined the generous community) and I almost always have one of those fantastic Waitrose ‘Bags for Life’ in my handbag. They are brilliant and by far the best long term bags that any supermarket supplies plus they have nice designs particularly at Christmas. You can use them for anything (and I do) eg sitting on wet grass, carrying things in, I even took one around Machu Picchu…my motto is ‘always carry a Waitrose bag’. This wasn’t meant to be an advert but I have road tested a few. But seriously this is important and worth the effort to carry a few plastic bags with you when you go to the supermarket (oops…local shop even).
25 Oct 2005
We’ve been trying to use our own bags in shops for several years now. I have two enormous bags from the Lakeland company which I use for “big” shops eg. the weeks’ groceries from the Co-op. You do have to be a bit careful as to how you load them, otherwise they’re too heavy to lift! I sometimes get funny looks from the shop assistants when I use them, but I’ve got used to it now! I also have several cloth bags, including a “say no to plastic bags” one which I bought from A Rocha at Greenbelt this year.
Stroud, GB , 28 Oct 2005
Ooh…I love the idea of an anti plastic bag cloth bag. Wish I’d noticed those at Greenbelt,- meanwhile, try very hard to remember my Bags for Life (which live in the car) and carry a couple of canvas bags around in my bike basket for quick drop in shopping in the parish. There is a bag recycling point at the local Somerfields, so that’s an option too (but does anyone know whether bag recyling is actually efficient?)
09 Nov 2005
I bought two big jute fairtrade shopping bags and now take them with me whenever I shop. Only problem I’ve had is now I have no carrier bags to recycle as bin liners!
14 Nov 2005
Had a big clear out of plastic bag. Took them along with all the other plastic bits and pieces to the recycling place on a dark Sunday evenig….labour of love I suppose. Our bin need only emptying once a month. How I wish the council would listen to my request for an extended service. Not enough money in recycling plastic and cardboard I suppose. Still, I shall keep at it. Marks and Spencers and Duchy’s are good at using recyclable materials. Waitrose is lacking behind.I also wonder what happens to the plastic bags after we have taken them to the recycling centre.
Reading, GB , 20 Nov 2005
Looking @ www.obviously.com/recycle/guides/shortest.They’ve got loads of tips about good and bad recycling. As reagrdsEllen’s thoughts about plastic bags they say: ‘Plastic grocery and produce sacks are commonly, but not always, made from plastic types 2 or 4. These bags are often collected in barrels at grocery stores, and usually end up as plastic lumber. Collection is not particularly profitable.’
Haverfordwest, GB , 11 Dec 2005
It’s hard to avoid having some plastic carrier bags, but when we do, we don’t thropw them away but use them as bin liners or keep them to re-use. I have bought a few jute bags from the farmer’s market, and usually remember to take them with me every fortnight when the market is on, but not so easy to remember when going to the supermarket. If we don’t have enough bags with us when we go to the supermarket, we try to re-use the shops cardboard boxes rather than take more carriers. This also helps them to recycle rather than throwing away all their cardboard.
New Malden, GB , 13 Dec 2005
I usually try to take plastic bags with me when going to the supermarket, but sometimes don’t have enough, or forget to take them. When I get the bags home, I keep them and use for wrapping my packed lunch in, or for small bin liners. I was in Germany recently (for the Christmas markets) and took lots of plastic bags with me to use for my shopping, and in one shop I tried to use my plastic bag and the cashier said “but our bags are prettier”!! So I had to succumb – I did actually end up using all the bags I brought with me, so that made me feel better about it, but at the time it was rather strange – I think Germany is a lot better at recycling than we are. Emily
Norwich, GB , 13 Dec 2005
I keep trying with this one. I get disproportionately irritated when shop assistants get them out before I can say “I don’t need a bag thank you” but when someone asks me if I want a bag I feel like cheering!
I still get caught out though when I find myself shopping without having planned to…mmmm maybe that’s another thing to look at!
22 Dec 2005
A few fabric bags and a Bag For Life have been placed in the car. The trick will be remembering to take them into the shop! Our household includes one person with walking difficulties and another who is Registered Blind. It is, therefore, essential for us to use internet shopping for larger amounts. We do wish that, as the supermet does use carrier bags, it would try to put more items in each bag – single items are not uncommon. That said, we do send any surplus back next time we have a delivery.
03 Jan 2006
We’re trying – but need to remember to bring enough reusable bags!
Faringdon, GB , 04 Jan 2006
Have bought three Fairtrade reusable brown bags. Got each of the kids to decorate / customise them. Keep forgetting to take them to the Supermarket, but getting better with time!
Reading, GB , 05 Jan 2006
Like turbo I was dismayed at the large number of bags which arrived when I shopped on line. Tesco allegedly recycle any carrier bags, their’s or anyone elses, which you give them back when you do internet shopping. Keep my bags for life in the hall so that I’ll see them when I go out to the shops (found putting them in the boot meant I forgot to get them out at the supermarket
06 Jan 2006
Yes,they do look at you in amazment don’t they?(checkout operatives ,that is).I’ve got a tip-
buy some of those collapsable crates(Tesco,2.49) stash them in your car and then-bingo!No need to remember bags.I just put all the shopping back in the trolley now which saves time at the checkout,then pack in unhurridly into the crates back at the car. Only works if you go in the car of course. I’ve actaully run out of carrier bags now—hurray!09 Jan 2006
Years ago i bought 3 string bags from Friends of the Earth. I now keep them in my handbag and they carry a truly amazing amount of groceries! I thoroughly recommend them .
18 Jan 2006
I was doing quite well with the supermarket shopping before Christmas. But the Christmas shopping was a bit of a disaster, I ended up with loads of plastic bags from department stores etc.
London, GB , 24 Jan 2006
I would love to get some cloth bags – that ‘say no to plastic bags’ one sounded like a good idea. Had a look at the greenbelt website (never heard of it before) and if I can save enough money might try and go. I’ve been re-using bags for as long as I remember but now that I don’t have a car, and like others sometimes find myself shopping spontaneously, it is increasingly difficult to remember to take them with me – when I feel unbearably guilty I buy (yet another) bag for life, and I think my collection probably stands at about 15 now (for a household of one). Now that I’ve found this great website and I can see that I’m not the only one trying to ‘live generously’ I’ll try and make more effort.
Cardiff, GB , 30 Jan 2006
At home we have a “bag bag”, at work I have a drawerfull of bags but I still forget to take them when I go shopping.
Norwich, GB , 14 Feb 2006
I still have four of those blue Sainsbury’s crates that you use in a special kind of trolley – use them every time I do a major shop (yes, I know it’s a supermarket). Why, please, did Sainsbury stop selling these crates? Not only did they save the bags (and the checkout staff knew you didn’t want bags because you had crates), and you could separate frozen from veg from tins as you went along – but the crates were brilliant for other purposes too (taking stuff to the recycling plant, moving our house plants when we moved house, transporting gear for a choir concert…) I just “lost” one when it got used to take things to the charity shop, and I miss it already!! Can we campaign to bring ‘em back? Meantime, it’s bags-for-life MOST of the time…
14 Feb 2006
I am finding this hard. I do have a jute bag (purchased at Greenbelt) and do use it locally. But I haven’t encountered helpful or understanding shop assistants, when I politely refused a bag in a local shop recently the shop assistant threw the one she’d got ready for me in the bin! Also in Morrison’s a bag packer ignored the pile of bags I got to re-use, mumbled something about having to use their branded bags (most of the ones I ‘d got were!) and proceeded to use new ones. Is this typical?
18 Feb 2006
I am ok when I shop at our local Co-op, because I’ve got into a routine of popping in after the gym and always take a fabric bag with me. The problem is when I am in town, like today, when I’ve come back with three carrier bags full of shopping. When I was in Aberdeen Art Gallery shop I bought a few very stylish, thick pvc bags that fold up into their own tiny bag with handles, about the size of a pocket pack of tissues. My mum uses the one I gave her all the time. Unfortunately, I put mine down somewhere and… well, I’m still looking. I am a new member and reading through the comments noticed a comment about Traidcraft carrier bags. The good news is they are now stocking the paper ones again, this time in two sizes!
23 Feb 2006
I have been cutting down on plastic bags for a while, always taking a rucksack with me when I go shopping, but still seem to pick them up when its an unplanned shop. So now I will get a cotton bag that I can keep with me for those situations. This action has the pleasure of the look of confusion on the shop assistant’s face!
23 Feb 2006
I have been cutting down on plastic bags for a while, always taking a rucksack with me when I go shopping, but still seem to pick them up when its an unplanned shop. So now I will get a cotton bag that I can keep with me for those situations. This action has the pleasure of the look of confusion on the shop assistant’s face!
Newport, GB , 27 Feb 2006
I have been building up to this because although it seems easy in reality it can be more tricky. Before I have time to get to the packing the nice lady at the checkout has usually packed half a dozen bags for me! Well today I managed for the first time to get out with no extra bags. I politely told the lady I had my own bags before she started then when another assistant offered to help pack I told her I had my own bags and she was more than happy to use them. All in all a success and I got to speak with two nice ladies, one even helped me to the car (I have twins, and the shop doesn’t have double trolleys, but that’s another story)
27 Feb 2006
I’m getting better at this, particularly at the supermarket, but it’s difficult to refuse them in other shops I find. More focus required I think.
01 Mar 2006
I try hard to remember this but it hasn’t become a habit yet. I keep remembering as a child shopping with my parents once a week and using string bags-does anyone remember those? The tins would stick through the holes and scratch your legs! Perhaps that will help to remind me to take the bags…
02 Mar 2006
Many moons ago when I was at school I had a Saturday job in the Body Shop (guess I have tried to be earth friendly since then) I always asked if people would like a bag and if they did, would try and give out paper bags before the plastic ones. We also sold canvas and string bags and I bought a few of these – they lasted about ten years. Still try and say no to bags in supermarkets but I tend to go in and buy stuff that I hadn’t planned to. Perhaps I’d be better making a list and then seeing how many bags I needed to take with me and sticking to it. I did do the Tesco blue crate thing ten years ago but it was sometimes a pain as I lived quite a distance away so would walk there with four crates (stackable) and then get taxi home. I have a car now so maybe I should do that again. On another note shops like Kwiksave always made you put your stuff into your trolley at the other end and then you went to a packing counter which meant you could take your time and pack sensibly and into your own recepticles! Sorry this turned out soo long! :)
07 Mar 2006
Have been trying to do this for a while for food shopping but even with re-usable bags in prime tripping position in the hall we don’t always remember, and mentally I haven’t really registered that I could/should be taking them when I go clothes, house, DIY etc shopping too. When I do remember them I always feel a bit foolish stood at the supermarket check out with a big straw bag. It would look more appropriate if I was breezing round a French farmers market and filling it with bageuttes, brie and vin rouge, rather than harrassed by a toddler and making a poor effort at organic, local and green…. so I guess that reminds me to try another action and change the way I shop!
Exeter, GB , 15 Mar 2006
You have to time your “no thanks, I don’t need a plastic bag!” carefully so that you get it out before the shop assistant has whisked the bag out from under the counter, otherwise they sometimes scrumple it up and throw it in the bin (especially in supermarkets – don’t shop in them!). I find it agonising when that happens! I try to keep a couple of used bags stuffed in my pockets/bag so that I always have some on me, but usually I take my lovely soft woven straw shopping bag that makes shopping a pleasure…!
17 Mar 2006
We love this idea. When we do our shopping on foot we have our backpacks on and also carry our jute bag and a couple canvas bags. We even have a beautiful woven basket that goes to the farmers market and even the grocery store with us. We re-use plastic bags from produce and take our own containers to the food co-op for our bulk items.
03 Apr 2006
I also ask shopkeepers not to put things in a bag when i buy something small (say a toothbrush or a pair if socks) this is now almost common practice in Holland, but is still seen as a very odd request here. Ank
04 Apr 2006
I have been taking a ‘bag for life’ out shopping for a few months now and my youngest daughter and I are quite good at refusing the carriers in the shops but my husband and teenage daughter can’t bring themselves to say ‘no thanks’!I’m working on them!!
07 Apr 2006
This is so important – and is a campaign on the selfsufficientish website too – carry-a-bag!
Why not put your bags in front of your shopping – no doubt the shop assistant might get confused and try and find out how much they cost lol….
12 Apr 2006
I always have a fabric bag screwed up inside my handbag, so it’s there if I buy something which won’t fit in my handbag. I just say, ‘Oh, don’t worry about a bag, thanks – I’ve got one.’
Sometimes they’re too fast for me but I’ve even got brave enough now to remove an item which has already been bagged up!
Of course, I still do take a lot of carriers – I can’t carry 3 or 4 fabric bags around with me all the time and sometimes I have to buy more than my one bag can carry. But once I have a carrier from one shop I turn down others until that one is totally full.
15 Apr 2006
We have plenty of cloth bags, but it seems that half the time they get left at home. It’s usually my husband who forgets to take them. I’m thinking of keeping a stash in the car and the rest hanging on the front door knob.
23 Apr 2006
Having the cloth bags hanging up in the kitchen or near the front door helps with making it a habit to use cotton bags rather than plastic bags. I also take a big enough bag out with me as my handbag for small items that I am buying.
29 Apr 2006
I really object to those shops where they say “Oh no, you have to have one!”.
Sorry?! I didn’t pay for it! I don’t want it! And it’s always the shops where their bags are so shoddy that you couldn’t use them for purpose anyway.
But it is really difficult. Usually they pack so quickly that you end up getting them to take the stuff out of the bags (which always makes me feel bad).
And of course, sometimes I forget to take my rucksack… no way i’m walking down the road with a box of pantyliners in my hand, sorry!
05 May 2006
I started this a few weeks ago and i must say farmfood bags are great! i have used the same bag for 2 weeks now and it is still going strong. I reckon i can keep the same bag for the rest of the year. i keep it in my handbag and have used it at asda and sommerfield. you can fit at least 3 loads of the ‘normal’plastic bags worth of stuff in it cause it is thicker BUT i have had weird looks at the check out (mainly from my boyfiend and brother the first time i did it)they stopped complaining after i got the weekends booze in one bag. I know it should probably be a cloth bag but i have saved about 20 carrier bags from the land fill sites so far.
11 May 2006
I do try, honest, but I don’t always remember to take my own bags with me, particularly when shopping in town. It’s such a simple thing to do, and can make such a difference, that I’m going to keep on trying, but harder from now on!
22 May 2006
This is a great thing to do & I’m pleased to see so many people having a go. I’ve been trying to take my own bags with me for about a year now. It is a case of being persistant until it becomes habit. Shop assistants do look at me like my skin is purple with orange dots on when I say “It’s OK I’ve a got my own bag thanks”. I used to get a bit emabarrased but find it quite funny now.
23 May 2006
Bought 2 shopping bags, bugs bunny and tweety pie 10 years ago and still going strong but I never thought to add to my collection and always had a few plastic ones as well. Added a cadbury’s bag and several cloth and jute ones so never have to take that extra one now.
Reading, GB , 29 May 2006
Cope a load of this website www.onyabags.co.uk
30 May 2006
Am very excited as I’ve finally cracked my problem of forgetting to take my used bags into the shop, even if I get as far as putting them into the boot of my car…I’ve bought a bag made of very thin shower-proof polyester, which comes folded up in a tiny little pocket with a key ring on the end. So it’s now always attached to my bunch of keys, which is about the one thing I take everywhere with me. It’s quite funky too and only cost me £2.50. I’ve had it only a week and have used it so many times already! I’m going to get another one to put in my handbag and one for my coat pocket. They’re so small that you can carry plenty on you without even noticing!
Reading, GB , 01 Jun 2006
Jo that sounds similar to the thing I found on a website, where did you buy yours?
01 Jun 2006
I bought mine from a shop in Totnes but I’m afraid I don’t know the name of it. I also saw the onyabags that you mentioned in a shop next door but they were double the price! Sorry can’t be of much help!
21 Jun 2006
I have a folded canvas bag in my messenger bag. It cost me less than 50 p., takes virtually no space at all and has come handy more than once even for non-shopping related activities. I tend to sit on it in parks for instance…
21 Jun 2006
Now this really really annoys me! I always get hassled in shops (especially supermarkets if I EVER venture in there) to have bags, and get real funny looks when I say that I do not require a plastic bag! Worringly, my girlfriend moans at me more… especially when we buy ice-cream as it’s too cold for her hands!!
Hull, GB , 21 Jun 2006
Using string bags instead.
30 Jun 2006
I’ve also got into the habit of not automatically reaching for a plastic bag to stick my fruit/veg in. Most fruit and veg doesn’t really need to be bagged (apart from things like grapes) and I’ve only ever had one negative comment at the checkout. I started this least year when I realised I was still bringing home a lot of plastic bags even though I don’t take the shop’s plastic carriers. I remember that when my Mum went shopping the greengrocer just used to weigh things and pour it all straight into a shopping bag just kept for veg and fruit and we sorted it into the rack at home. It was only fragile things like peaches and soft fruits that got wrapped, in brown bags.
An earlier poster commented that they do this better in Germany and I’d second this. Some supermarket chains have recycling bins just after the checkouts where you can leave unwanted packaging material, you can even sort it into paper & plastic. Maybe we should organise a campaign to get supermarkets here to do the same.
18 Jul 2006
I went in a shop the other day and was asked if I NEEDED a bag for my shopping, and interesting way of asking, which suggests that the assistant didn’t think I needed one.
I wonder if anyone here who works in a shop has tried (or would like to try) to reduce the number of bags they give to customers with such tactics and do they work?
GB , 20 Jul 2006
Can i just leap up and down enthusiastically for a minute for the onyabag?!
I’d heard of them somewhere, but then a friend randomly brought me one as a present… I now have three and have bought a load more as presents. They are undoubtedly what kicked the good intention of not using so many plastic bags into a reality where I pretty much don’t use plastic bags at all, because:
1) They are INCREDIBLY strong. I’m sure they wouldn’t recommend this (‘no sharp objects’ they say!) but I recently had to carry loads and loads of bricks/rubble through the house, the onyas were perfect for this and have washed up lovely! They’ll obviously take a fair few pints of milk/bottles of wine etc… like plastic bags in size, but seemingly infinitely strong, so you can get in twice plus what you could in a plastic bag, and they don’t rip your hands to shreds when you carry weight in them. 2) Made of parachute material, so they pack up small, which is the big win for me over ‘bags for life’/canvas/carrying old plastic bags; you can get a few of these even in the smallest of ‘other’ bags. 3) I was rubbish at remembering to take other bags out with me, and then would only do it if i was purposefully food shopping. These I always carry as a matter of course now, so if I just need to take extra things somewhere when I’m out, heavy books to/from library, or do a bit of accidental shopping, job done. 4) This is shallow , but I think they’re quite cool (this might be just me…!)
Discussed above by lucrezia and jo – but it’s www.onyabags.co.uk in case you don’t want to scroll up. They are £6.50 but so worth it – great presents too; if you’re not near a stockist you can order them (min order of 5) direct.
Thanks, i feel better now. No, not on commission, they’re just that good; if you see me around, ask for a demo…!
Weymouth, GB , 15 Aug 2006
it can be done but needs pre-planning! last time i visited Ikea i bought several of their big blue bags at 25p each. (they are selling them at cost price to discourage throw away ones). We keep a couple permanantly in the back of the car, as long as you remember to take them out when you get to the shops, they do the job admirably. it’s a good conversation starter at the supermarket checkout.
19 Aug 2006
Will definately make an effort at this one as it is so simple – just have to make sure I remember! Perhaps bags in the back of the car is a good idea!
Milton Keynes, GB , 19 Aug 2006
I would really like to do this – but it is a biggie for me as I am so disorganised and our major shop is usually large with 5 mouths to feed. If I have my rucksack with me and its a small shop then I do try and fit it in – if bio bags are available I try to go for them but often the trip to the shop is unexpected, hurried or I’m so busy trying to remember to put buggy and children in the car (yes that’s another issue!!) all else is out of my head!!
I am going to put some reusable bags in the car – and ban them from being used as binbags! I will also be purchasing a couple of lightweight fabric bags to carry in my rucksack for the pushchair handles when the tray underneath is full.
We tend to shop online with tesco or sainsbury’s for our main shop to avoid shopping with young children and all that entails and am always shocked by the number of plastic bags they use – A driver I was talking to had a good idea of having a cardboard insert to the trays that it all comes in to avoid the need for bags at all – which can be reused and collected the next time. Will be e-mailing them I think to support this idea.
Greenbelt, MD, US , 30 Aug 2006
I’ve just put my mind to this one recently. I’ve got my bags in the car—its just a matter of remembering to bring them. I was surprised at how easily I just run in & don’t think about the bags until I’m at the check out. Takes awhile to form a new habit…
Also, I probably need another bag or two to accomodate a weekly trip.
Wokingham, GB , 30 Aug 2006
This is a really worthwhile one – I’ve been making a concerted effort with it this past week. Hope I can keep it up and where possible make do without a bag, especially for groceries etc. I will have to remember to take my own shopping bags – I agree that keeping some in the car is a good idea. N.B. I suprised an assistant at B & Q today by refusing a bag – I told her about being generous and suggested she take a look at the website.
05 Sep 2006
We’ve been trying to remember to take bags with us when we go shopping. I’ve recently bought a lightweight fold up bag to keep in my handbag so I’ve always got a bag with me.
Oxford, GB , 11 Sep 2006
I think that’s a great idea to help me with this action. As a student, I usually have a rucksack full of books, paper and pencils, so having a couple of old carrier bags in a side pouch will help with the “Oh no! I need to pick up some bread!” moments.
14 Sep 2006
To be honest, I think this was my very first action, but wasn’t listed on my profile. We bought some of the 10p bags in Tesco, and a stronger one from M and S. I also have a boycott Proctor and Gamble bag in my handbag, which Uncaged Campaigns sent me – it has lasted for ages.
Redditch, GB , 22 Sep 2006
I’ve been refusing carrier bags in shops for a number of years. Remember doing so in Littlewoods Exeter about 16 years ago & the sales asistant told me she wasn’t allowed to sell items without putting them in Littlewoods bags so I didn’t buy the item. Amongst others, I am still using a fabric bag that Mum made (she died 10 years ago God rest her soul) She made it from remnants of material and appliqued a design after going to embroidery classes. I have renewed the handles and it comes out of the wash good as new- have managed to get husband to start using fabric bags and he now sometimes refuses carriers.
24 Sep 2006
I have recently started using cloth bags; I bought some really good jute ones from Sainsbury’s for £1.99 each, which I thought was pretty good. They are really strong and spacious; I feel soooo good now when I put my shopping in them; doing stuff like this is good for the soul as well as the environment, methinks!
25 Sep 2006
This has been hard to achieve as I have such a bad memory I forget to take the bags. ANd if I remember to take the bags I forget to get them out of the boot, and if I remember both those things I get to the till and forget I have them in my handbag. I have partially solved this by keeping them permanently in the boot. At least then they make it part of the way.
Egham, GB , 28 Sep 2006
I try so had with this, but often it’s not till I’m standing in the queue waiting to pay that I remember my bags are at home or in the boot.
I’ve seen somewhere that does a fold up bag made out of old parachute silk which you can attach to your keyring, may have to look into this further.
Luton, GB , 03 Oct 2006
Grunthos: Lakeland Limited do a snazzy shopping trundle (sort of handled collapsable brightly coloured box) if you don’t want the granny tartan trolley!
10 Oct 2006
This is surely one of the easier things to commit to? But still don’t always remember to take the spare carriers out of the back of the car or pop them in the handbag. And still manage to acquire a cupboard full of the flipping things but they can be put in recycle bin at local supermarket… Taxing them as they do in Eire is a good idea.
saltburn-by-the-sea, GB , 10 Oct 2006
I have a hook in the kitchen with my shopping bags on – so I don’t forget them!
14 Oct 2006
I realised how many carrier bags we were accumulating when I started recycling them a few years back and had a bulging sack of them within a week. It was scary! Now I try to remember to carry my own bags, but I’m terribly forgetful. If buying locally I bung things under the buggy, but in supermarkets it’s harder.
I do keep a stock of carrier bags for wrapping up fish or chicken carcasses as we have a fox problem round our way (plus three cats in our house!) I use the biodegradable ones though. Only problem is, they do degrade quite fast. The other week, I found that the part of my stash at the back of the cupboard was almost powder and I have to remember not to pack stuff for the loft in them!
I was reassured to read some of the posts above, as my biggest failing is lining the bin with plastic bags as I am too tired/lazy to wash out the bin each time I empty it, but I HAVE stopped putting loads of things in the bin and am recycling them instead, meaning I DO get through less bags and I only use one bin now.
I just feel like I have a long way to go….. and I’m a dunce at sewing so I’ll just have to buy my fabric bags….failure as a vicar’s wife, me….can’t arrange flowers either ;-)
16 Oct 2006
I try when possible to do this.
Apparently we are given 167 carrier bags each year (per person). I am a teacher, and we are trying to compile a list of 167 things to do with old carrier bags. When we get there, I’ll type it up and paste it here!
Buxton, GB , 07 Nov 2006
We’re working hard at this. We haven’t had to buy any new bags so far as we had quite a stock of plastic bags which we are using until they can’t go on any more. We are getting used to always having them with us in rucksacks, in the car, etc. For those people who get to the checkout and then remember that the bags are in the car – how about reloading the trolley without using bags at all then filling your bags when you get to the car? Sometimes this can be easier anyway, as opening out crumpled bags from the rucksack can be time consuming and hold up the queue.
Cardiff, GB , 27 Nov 2006
Tesco now offer green clubcard points for bag re-use but I wish instead they just charged for plastic bags. You can buy large canvas type bags – my favourite is a HUGE red one sold by Oxfam recently as a toy storage bag. Also I ordered the recycling sorter bag offered on promotional packs of Nouvelle recycled toilet paper – has wooden handles and really strong. You save so much time packing and unpacking too!
Colorado Springs, US , 30 Nov 2006
Our local grocer offers a refund for each bag you bring. I went to our local wholesale fabric store and purchased several yards of rip-stop nylon in a variety of colors. To make them, cut out a rectangle, sew the side seams and then a triangle across the bottom. Whenever we go out, the bags are already in the car. When we come in, the bags are emptied and hung on the knob to go out.
Manchester, GB , 06 Dec 2006
This really isnt hard to do.
Check out the campaign at
http://www.abolishplasticbags.org.uk/
06 Dec 2006
Been trying to do this for a while. It has been so effective that we have a general shortage of carrier bags in the house for things like dirty football boots and bin liners (Lining the bin rather than cleaning it every time saves warm water and cleaning materials, probably more of an energy and resources saving than the resources associated with producing a “free” bag, which is being reused too).
21 Dec 2006
Has anyone said what an incentive it was to do this when Sainsbury’s made such fab designs for their bags for life? Or is it just me that’s so shallow….. ? Well I am converted to them for supermarket shopping so that’s a start.
03 Jan 2007
have noticed just lately that shop assistants are less insistent on you having a bag these days? we shopin lidl and aldi for up to 8 at a time, if we forget the bags it goes loose in the boot and goes into washing baskets at home to get from car to house. we have 3 lidl reusable fabric carriers,a wicker basket,a fairtrade big shopper,a christian aid one and several free book bags from the health visitor!
03 Feb 2007
We have 2 bottle carriers (take 6 bottles each)provided free from the Co-op when we bought wine from them a few years ago, which we take with us when we do a wine stock up. Not all Co-op stores have them, but it’s worth asking. We have always used plastic carrier bags as bin liners for unrecycleable items and take spare ones to one of our great local independant health food shops who turn them in-side-out and use them for their customers. We only go to the supermarket once a month now, so have reduced plastic bag use further. If you’re out shopping for various bits in different shops you don’t need a bag from each shop. Most shop assistants ask if you want a bag…just say no.
London, GB , 05 Feb 2007
Have now run out of carrier bags, which I think is an achievement!
I bought some large cuboid insulated bags from Lakeland, and keep those in the boot for major supermarket shops (although they may not be very “generous” as I suspect that their manufacture was at some cost to the environment!). I also have a collection of cloth and jute bags from Traidcraft and others, and keep those hanging on the same hook as my coat. It doesn’t look very tidy, but it does mean that I remember to take one with me when I go out.
08 Feb 2007
Loads of shops are now selling jute and cloth bags near me. Tesco, Booths and Local health shop ‘Appleseeds’ sell very good value bags. Having several bags helps with remembering to take them, although I am also using these bags at school as a school teacher for props in lessons etc.
08 Feb 2007
Loads of shops are now selling jute and cloth bags near me. Tesco, Booths and Local health shop ‘Appleseeds’ sell very good value bags. Having several bags helps with remembering to take them, although I am also using these bags at school as a school teacher for props in lessons etc.
Newport, Wales, GB , 27 Feb 2007
(Just joined this worthwhile site), I have a couple of the blue IKEA bags in the car. these are very strong and comfortable to carry as there are two different handle lengths.
Watford, GB , 02 Mar 2007
Been trying to do this for a while now, have some small foldup bags which fit in my handbag, andf if i’m shopping on the high st for little things i always try to use my one. When I went to the charity shop the other day, the lady commented how nice it was to see a young person with their own shopping bag, and not needing to use up one of theirs. They have their own printed carrier bags, and it feels quite good to take away my own, and not use up one of theirs, especially as is a charity! The other big benefit of using your own bags, is that my shoppers can be worn over your shoulder, makes such a difference when you’re buying lots of little things and you don’t have fiddly bags to handle! Also is a very good idea to leave some bags in the car, and is very true not to leave them in the boot. On the occasions i’ve made an unplanned trip to the supermarket, i’ve always had my own bags to use.
06 Mar 2007
Hi Guys,
I am very pleased to meet you all!
I have just finished reading the comments on Plastic carrier bags! I would like to share my thoughts with you all!
Leave all packaging behind in the store in the first instance. I take my own trolley, a pair of sharp scissors and recycled plastic containers. I empty the sugar, tea bags, kids sweets, washing powder, biscuits, dried cat food you name it I container it! I have light weight containers for my freezer shop two. It saves me time and no waste (plastic/cardboard in my mixed waste bin has decreased by 87%) If you wish to know more e-mail me and I will explain in more detail. I believe that the manufactures need a little push from “US” the consumers to encourage them to either use less/no packaging or degradable materials only. Yes it is more expensive to use bio products from a business point of view but its like anything new, once the trend has caught on the price will come down. Business has to be profitable! but we have the choice were to shop! I am campaigning to have in store recycle bins in a local supermarket, to date the store manager has been extremely interested in the idea. Hopefully it will materialize this year! fingers crossed. You may not believe that you would have the time to do this on a regular shopping trip, I am a single mum of four children and I work full-time, if I can do it anyone can! Serious recycling has become a way of life in my household, my children have become accustomed and its become the norm! Educating the next generations to follow is paramount! They need “US” to educate them NOW! Purchase a Trolley that is light weight and water proof (I have one in a cow print effect) They are trendy, light and fantastic for the high street shops/supermarkets/overnight stays/carrying books to college and much more! As regards to your legal rights you have every right to remove all packaging in store ( You pay for the goods not the fancy packaging) Keep your receipt if you have that you can return anything. I take all the packaging off electrical goods two, and I have returned all kinds of large items without any fuss from the stores.You are also saving the store money for they have to comply with certain legislations re; land fill tax. The more you give back the more the company can save! So please forget the carrier bags and leave all the packaging behind! make a statement and be proud you are doing your bit for our fragile environment. Thanks Guys for reading this!
Take Care
Recycling Lady
Taunton, GB , 29 Mar 2007
Re carrier bags – there’s no excuse to use them! I am now starting to get a bit ‘grumpy old woman’ about this – as I enter the supermarket (or more likely farmers market or farm shop) with my banana boxes and various fabric fold up bags.
Ok, there is the occasion when I forget, and they stay in the boot of the car, but those times are happening less and less frequently now.
Cheers. PS No idea why I’m showing up as homeless; I have put in my location!
Northamptonshire, GB , 09 May 2007