Burn the Bags!
Posted: Thursday, March 05, 2009
by Connor Davidson
Firstly, I don't intend to burn anything. Because that produces carbon dioxide.
What I intend to do is appeal to you. All I would like you to do is care. Its easy just when that man/women behind the till asks if you would like a bag you either take out your cotton bag(s) or outright refuse and explain how irresponsible it is too use carrier bags. Well I would strongly advise you to consider stocking up on cotton carrier bags shop assistants have limited patience. Parliament has decided to sort the carrier bag catastrophe out - well at least they say they want to. They intend to force the supermarkets to charge for carrier bags. Unfortunately this will probably only equate to ten pence, which to many is almost meaningless. Would this make you think I must stop using carrier bags? Doubt it. At least using cotton bags would work out cheaper in the long run.
Now that you have hopefully been horrified by the statistics here are some hints on how you can change, buy cotton bags. I would recommend the co-op fair trade bag which costs around 99p each. If you are not prepared to completely change fine, but at least carry your shopping - if you don't buy much and don't damage the environment. Never use a carrier bag only once, use it as many times as possible, even as a bin bag because carrier bags are a lower grade of plastic than normal bin bags.
Finally I hope this article has encouraged you to change. So good luck, going green with your shopping.
Connor Davidson 3/5/09
This Article has been viewed 809 times. (Not updated in real-time.)
More commentsDear Connor~ We have a place here in the U.S. called "Ikea". It's one of those stores, kind of like a warehouse, where one may purchase furniture (unassembled, which cuts costs and thereby makes it more affordable to furnish one's home nicely), household goods, candles, linens, well, pretty much anything one might want for their home.
Recently, on my last visit there, I saw that they no provide 'free' plastic bags (which were HUGE!) to their customers. Instead, they offer equally large mesh plastic bags (you could fit a child in one, no kidding!) for 59 cents. That's it. Fifty-nine cents! (I believe that's .42 GBP). When I saw the signs, I was DELIGHTED. And then I thought...if ALL the stores did this, just think of all the JUNK we wouldn't be filling landfills, streets, rivers, oceans, etc. with! WONDERFUL! I'm one of those who carries her own cotton bags in her car. No matter where I go, I have them with me. So I don't ever need to choose "paper of plastic"...AND the cotton bags are not only sturdier, they carry more 'stuff'. So, I think it's fantastic that your government is going to do something about it. And I'm thrilled that you shared this with us. Thanks for caring about our beloved Mother Earth. She thanks you...and so do I!
I fully agree with you. I think that if it costs for a plastic bag people will not use them. Ikea has taken this on step further by giving you a re-usable bag. The solution is not far away.
Thanks for the comment.
Fortunately, Connor, I don't shop much, so asking for a bag is a moot point for me. As for producing carbon dioxide, guess what you exhale? I don't think you want to try holding your breath. Besides, what would the plants breathe if you did? ;) Good article and thanks for reminding us there ARE alternatives if we think about it.
The mention of producing carbon dioxide was a joke to open the article.The joke made me laugh out loud.
Hi Connor.Good article. Good point. Now all I have to do is figure some good way to trick this old brain into remembering to take my own bags in with me when I go shopping. :) Hey, at least they're in the car. And like David, I think it was, we use our plastic bags to death. And our local WalMart recycles them.I suppose it is a matter of degree, but any kind of manufacturing is going to have some deleterious effect on poor old Mother Earth. Reusable cotton bags will certainly last a long time, but will eventually have to be replaced and processing cotton for use in producing fabrics creates its own problems. But I do get your point that each and every one of us needs to act more responsibly as regards the environment.Dianne
Apart from the gammaticle errors this was a brilliant article!I do hope that the bag issue will be fixed.Also, nice joke at the start.
Enjoyed your article. I use the plastic bags because they are easier for me to carry, but I do recycle them, so all is not lost. Linda D
Great article. A person would be surprised at how many simple ways there are to 'go green'. I knew we used a lot of those plastic shopping bags, but I had never thought about such enormous quantities. Remarkable.Thanks for a well-written informative article.Sandra
Connor,I recycle all my bags but I too am disgusted at the amount. While recycling is indeed a good thing, what does it cost in energy and waste to recycle?Thank you for sharing this one!Nancy
I prefer cotten bags easier to carry and fit more in never leave home without one. In canada our grocery store gives you points for each bag you haveWhat do these points do?
I use cotton bags, but I do believe that a recyclable grocery bag must also be created or they should be banned altogether.
Hi Connor, Thanks for this great information. The plastic bags are great for recycling. I also use the brown paper bags to start my wood stove. I bought some cotton bags not too long ago, but I admit, I often forget to take them into the store with me. I am gettng better :-)Blessings to you! Teresa
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