Reusable Bags

In the supermarket that I work in we have recently stopped giving people plastic carrier bags. This has annoyed many customers as they have to either buy bags or bring their own. We have Bags For Life at five pence each, which are made with recycled plastic - and if you keep bringing them back each time you shop and they suffer wear and tear, we give you another one for free! I keep trying to emphasize this point to angry customers.

I have had these responses many times:
-That's ridiculous.
-I'm not buying your bags and I'm not putting it in my trolley without bags, so what do you expect me to do?
-I'm not buying bags..I'm leaving my shopping.
-I'm not shopping here again. I'm going to Tesco.
-I can't believe you can spend £100 but still have to buy bags.. but that's okay cos I'll just nick your trolley.

:|

I sort-of understand why people are annoyed as I turned upto work and asked where the bags were, and then was informed that we no longer had any! I can understand that it might be a bit of a shock to some people..and since there is a "recession" spending extra money isn't what you want to do. But then again, at our supermarket (and I presume many others) asking you to buy reusable bags or bring your own has been going on for ages.

People probably hear in the news, and shops, that you should bring your bags and they know it's to do with the environment but I don't think people have been properly educated to make them care enough. I know I haven't..not until I've been browsing about them online. And I still don't feel I really know enough - since the government are trying to ban carrier bags I think they should make a leaflet explaining all the reasons why this is a good thing - at least to ease people's anger.


One reason that I think is very important and makes me want to be more conscious environmentally is the fact that Leatherback Turtles are mistaking plastic bags for jellyfish and eating them, the plastic gets twisted up in their organs and kills them... "Many of our plastic bags travel along rivers and streams and end up out at sea. Leatherback Turtles coming to UK waters for jelly fish are increasingly mistaking our plastic bags for jellyfish." - www.turtlebags.co.uk

Since our lives have been made so easy and quick, it actually seems an uphill struggle trying to live without causing some sort of damage to the world around us. But I feel more motivated to try and be more "green".