PurpleHen Posted September 27, 2006 Share Posted September 27, 2006 From our industry daily rag....... UK: new 'green' bags for Sainsbury's About 6,500 tonnes of plastic will be saved annually, Sainsbury's says. Sainsbury's has said it plans to replace its white carrier bags with bags made from 33% recycled material. The new orange bags will be phased in from next month and save 6,500 tonnes of plastic a year, the supermarket group said. Sainsbury's currently gives out 1.7 billion white carrier bags annually. They will be phased out by February. Earlier this month the firm said that 500 of its own-brand goods would be in packaged in compostable materials. 'Passionate issue' The announcement by Sainsbury's is the latest in a string of "green" innovations unveiled by retailers. Tesco plans to introduce biodegradable carrier bags this month, and is offering loyalty points to customers who reuse their old bags - even if they are from rival stores. US grocery giant Wal-Mart - which owns Asda in the UK - has said it will cut packaging by 5% over five years from 2008, while Swedish home furnishings group Ikea has started charging for its bags. The new Sainsbury's bags will be made up of 57% raw plastic and 10% chalk as well as the recycled material, the company said. Carrier bags were a "passionate issue" for shoppers, Sainsbury's chief executive Justin King said. "This is a major green step forward because recycling carrier bags, very much like lots of our packaging, means we're cutting down on the use of plastic as well as what goes to landfill," he said. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted September 27, 2006 Share Posted September 27, 2006 I've been taking my own bags into Tesco to participate in their scheme (you get 1 clubcard point for each 'own bag' that you use). I have yet to see anyone else using their own bags Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PurpleHen Posted September 27, 2006 Author Share Posted September 27, 2006 I've been doing that for a while, at toher supermarkets too - you should see the looks I get from other people in the queue when I turn up with assorted supermarket reusable bags, old plastic bags, Omlet bags ( ) - and whatever else I can lay my hands on..... But the till people generally take no notice - they're obviously used to us "mad women"..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted September 27, 2006 Share Posted September 27, 2006 I'm the same Jackie,and it annoys me at Tesco, if they start putting my purchases through the till before I have finished unloading them, then they automatically put them in new Tesco bags before I can stop them. I end up taking them out and putting them in my 2nd hand bags. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted September 27, 2006 Share Posted September 27, 2006 I also take second-hand bags as well, but the thing that really drives me mad is when the check-out assistant puts things like butter or loose veg things like that in another separate bag Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PurpleHen Posted September 27, 2006 Author Share Posted September 27, 2006 I also take second-hand bags as well, but the thing that really drives me mad is when the check-out assistant puts things like butter or loose veg things like that in another separate bag Yep - we have words about things loike that as well - they just look at me like I'm mad... How and orange or a potato can come to any harm not being in a small plastic bag - I just don't know!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted September 27, 2006 Share Posted September 27, 2006 I think they must be trained to do it - Shona might know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cate in NZ Posted September 27, 2006 Share Posted September 27, 2006 I always take my own bags too, but biodegradeable sound like a positive move forward to me. Especially as when I do get carriers I tend to recycle them into bin bags for the waste paper bins in the house. Did anyone see "SuperNanny" on TV last night? I was watching it to while away the time whilst ploughing through a stack of ironing, and was absolutely gob-smacked at the Dad who had a shopping trolley in the back garden. When he was challenged about the trolley he said that the supermarket had wanted to charge him 3p for carrier bags and he wasn't willing to pay that..... so he stole the trolley instead Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Linda Posted September 27, 2006 Share Posted September 27, 2006 But the till people generally take no notice - they're obviously used to us "mad women"..... They'll just think it's your hormones, Jackie!! I don't know what excuse the rest of us can use!! I have a lovely collection of hessian and cotton bags that I get out at the checkout. It's very liberating when you don't really care what other people think!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karen & co. Posted September 27, 2006 Share Posted September 27, 2006 I always take an odd selection of bags to the supermarket to use, and they don't bat an eyelid, But if I try in other shops, it's as if I've offered to slap the assistant The only place that didn't mind last week was Holland and Barratt karen x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlottechicken Posted September 27, 2006 Share Posted September 27, 2006 I've been taking my own bags into Tesco to participate in their scheme (you get 1 clubcard point for each 'own bag' that you use). I have yet to see anyone else using their own bags Same here Clare. The assistants are fine, but other shoppers give you a sideways glance I have also had no problems using my own bag in Holland and Barratt, and of course the stallholders in the markets love it if they don't have to use their bags up! I am sure it will take a generation to wean the 'Great British Public' off their carrier bag fetish Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ali-s Posted September 27, 2006 Share Posted September 27, 2006 I use my own bags in all shops now. I Just tell the assistant politely I'll use my own. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Louise Posted September 28, 2006 Share Posted September 28, 2006 I am a convert now too I always struggled to reuse supermarket bags as they nearly always had a hole in them so weren't much use for anything but now I have my tote bag, 5 omlet bags and a reusable wine bag all in the boot of the car ready to lift out I did have 6 omlet bags but my mother swiped one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Linda Posted September 28, 2006 Share Posted September 28, 2006 Good for her! Hasn't she got good taste! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlottechicken Posted September 28, 2006 Share Posted September 28, 2006 I did have 6 omlet bags but my mother swiped one Get her some of her own for Christmas Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CRAZY CHICK Posted October 27, 2006 Share Posted October 27, 2006 We usually go to the Vendee in SW France for our hols and the supermarkets there are not allowed to give free bags due to the pollution caused on the beaches etc. You can buy a really strong bag for about 30p and these last for ever. I still use mine now and have even brought them back as presents for people. They are quite stylish I think if people are made to pay they will soon use their own. I always say at a checkout I have got my own bags and if they have started packing in their bags I just make them unpack. It is for the environment Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
