Carrier bags

[johnckirk]

There's been a trend recently for shops to reduce the number of carrier bags that they give out. I think that's a good idea, and I normally carry a few empty bags in my rucksack so that I can reuse them. However, looking at the big supermarket chains, some seem to have a better grasp on the logistics than others

Comments

[rileen]

Here in Germany, the supermarkets charge 10-15 cents for a bag (the simplest kind, and more for bigger/sturdier ones). I think that's a very simple and effective measure.

[susannahf]

Tesco's have actually been giving out "green" clubcard points for reusing bags for years. I regularly get clubcard vouchers for "Bags for Life" from them too.
I agree that shops with "post-office" queues (here, it's Sainsbury rather than Tesco) do make it difficult to reuse bags, but I find that I can pack my bag myself without too much difficulty. Of course, it's annoying when the cashier insists in putting your stuff into a carrier when it's clear that you're taking it back out to put it in your bag.
Oh, and btw, the "double-bagging" doesn't get you extra points. They tend to give you as many points as bags that you would have used if you used carriers. So I frequently get multiple points for using my big wheelie bag.

[shuripentu]

They also give a points estimate for the use of non-carrier bags? Cool. *will remember to poke them next time she does a shop* We always get our shopping in rucksacks since it's just the most efficient way to carry heavy loads long distances. I never understood the concept of carrying all your shopping in your hands, unless you're specifically after really fantastic forearms. :D

[johnckirk]

I generally have more shopping than will fit in my rucksack (since it's not designed for camping trips), and if I come back by bus then I don't have to carry the stuff very far. Having said that, I'm less interested in my forearms, and more concerned about losing circulation in my fingers!

[shuripentu]

We also use cloth carrier bags for any overflow, particularly of light and bulky items like Kleenex. :)

[totherme]

I think the division between "post office counter" and "supermarket counter" is nothing to do with the brand of the supermarket, and all to do with the size of the supermarket.

When I go into a "tesco metro" or whatever, I tend to smile at the cashier, say "No need for any bags for me", and plonk my rucksack down on top of the plastic bags. That usually works fine.

[susannahf]

Indeed. Although I have had people at the chronically badly-organised and understaffed "sainsbury local" in oxford react to that by pulling a new plastic bag from the dispenser, and filling it on the weighing/scanning bit.