The Anonymous Widower

Do We Need A Charge For Plastic Bags?

I think this is a very difficult one, and although many claim, it has good green credentials, it is a measure that might annoy lots of people.

Take myself!

I generally go to a food store every day or so, as I don’t like food waste and buy just what I need. So I perhaps get one or two bags every day I go shopping. It should only be one per day, but because I can’t buy everything I need at one shop near me, I’ll often make a double trip.

I do have a reusable bag, but because of the useless self-service tills in the Waitrose at the Angel, I don’t use it as often as I should. My bag won’t stand on the tills, and one day something breakable will fall on the floor.

I also do a lot of shopping on my way home from say a football match, or a visit somewhere, so carrying a large bag just in case I need to buy something, is a silly strategy for me.

In fact, the charge will make little difference to me, as it’ll probably cost me about thirty pence a week.

All of the plastic bags I collect are used in my waste bin, which is just a big IKEA plant pot.

I have a feeling, that this could be one of the things, that will drive floating voters away from the Lib Dems.

I do hope that some of the excessive bags, I’ve received from up-market shops will be discouraged.  I got one last month, that  is a large tough and strong one, that will need to be shredded with a pair of scissors to put in my green recycling bags.

Yesterday, I bought a new rucksac in Selfridges.  I was offered a bag to carry it home. I declined and put the bag on my back, with my briefcase and another small purchase inside. I suppose though, I walked out of the shop, without giving them any advertising.

A better way would be to have a packaging tax, so shops found better and cheaper ways for shoppers to get goods home.

Taking the Waitrose self-service tills, I’m certain an origami expert could design a better and bigger version of the ubiquitous British Rail paper carrier bags, used to carry drinks and snacks from the train buffet to your seat. It would stand up wonderfully on the weigher of the self service till.  It would probably be quicker as Waitrose’s bags are a nightmare for my hands. I don’t think I’m the only one!

A British Rail Carrier Bag

I took this picture today and I noticed thast the lady in the buffet had them all neatly stacked and ready to use. It’s a classic design!

As in everything, the problem of too many plastic bags is something that we should design and innovate ourselves away from.

After all, if a shop came up with the perfect system, they would be the winners in the shopping wars.

September 14, 2013 - Posted by AnonW | News | Design, Environment, Politics, Shopping