MSP calls for charge for plastic carrier bags

mkpdavies · 21-06-2005, 09:36 PM

http://scotlandtoday.scottishtv.co.u..._1&newsid=8067

Quote:

An MSP says we should be charged at the check out for every plastic bag we use. Lib Dem MSP Mike Pringle has launched a bill that would put ten pence tax on every carrier bag. It is designed to help the environment. Some stores already operate a voluntary scheme.

How about Supermarket provide paper bags, like they do in the states.

Oh yeah that wouldn't suck in more stealth tax would it. Silly me.

John Carter · 21-06-2005, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mkpdavies

How about Supermarket provide paper bags, like they do in the states.

Because:

1) They always fall apart.
2) You need a open-bed truck (preferably with a 5.7 litre Hemi V8 in it) to carry them home in.

Woah. Just had a flashback. I remember my gran had a little bag-on-a-cart thing which she used specifically for food shopping. Seemed like a good idea. Have Madonna prance around with one in her next video and they'll become fashionable again. Bingo, job done.

mkpdavies · 21-06-2005, 10:25 PM

How about String bags then. Or paper backed by string.

I do think getting rid of plastic bags would be good, I just don't like it when tax is introduced when there are better alternatives.

John Carter · 21-06-2005, 10:42 PM

I think what needs to happen is a change at the individual level (i.e. people reusing existing bags). As to how we achieve that, I don't know. Maybe a tax is the only way?

Are string or paper bags the way to go? Won't this just cause the same kind of problem but in a different way?

What we really need is a way to get folks to reuse existing bags. Maybe... ...just maybe... ...stop the stores from providing any kind of bags? (then folks will need to take their reusable shopping bag on a cart thing with them)

--
As an aside, I notice that Tesco bags have become considerably thinner in the last few weeks - so it looks like they're trying to do their bit.

Alex McKee · 21-06-2005, 10:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Carter

I think what needs to happen is a change at the individual level (i.e. people reusing existing bags). As to how we achieve that, I don't know. Maybe a tax is the only way?

Are string or paper bags the way to go? Won't this just cause the same kind of problem but in a different way?

What we really need is a way to get folks to reuse existing bags. Maybe... ...just maybe... ...stop the stores from providing any kind of bags? (then folks will need to take their reusable shopping bag on a cart thing with them)

--
As an aside, I notice that Tesco bags have become considerably thinner in the last few weeks - so it looks like they're trying to do their bit.

I think that there is too little effort made on the side of the supermarket. After all they make multi-million pound profits I'm sure that they could afford to provide a hessian-bag or summat.

John Carter · 21-06-2005, 10:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Carter

I think what needs to happen is a change at the individual level (i.e. people reusing existing bags). As to how we achieve that, I don't know. Maybe a tax is the only way?

Are string or paper bags the way to go? Won't this just cause the same kind of problem but in a different way?

What we really need is a way to get folks to reuse existing bags. Maybe... ...just maybe... ...stop the stores from providing any kind of bags? (then folks will need to take their reusable shopping bag on a cart thing with them)

--
As an aside, I notice that Tesco bags have become considerably thinner in the last few weeks - so it looks like they're trying to do their bit.

I think that there is too little effort made on the side of the supermarket. After all they make multi-million pound profits I'm sure that they could afford to provide a hessian-bag or summat.

The problem I can see with that is:

1) Supermarket supplies hessian bag to customer.
2) Customer uses hessian bag for next two trips.
3) Customer forgets hessian bag on third trip.
4) Supermarket gives customer another hessian bag.
5) Cycle restarts.

Landfill full of hessian bags instead of plastic bags.

If the customer can get them for free from source, they're not going to care about leaving them at home. If the customer can only take their shopping home with them in their own bags which they've had to buy, there'll be a change in the way people shop.

I'm just remembering back to the old days (late 70's) when everyone used to take their bags with them to the supermarket - everything was reusable, nothing was throwaway. I think we need to get back to this attitude in a lot of areas - and get rid of the current Fordism*.

* Pass the soma

gus · 22-06-2005, 03:34 AM

It is absurd to suggest that a tax of 10p on carrier bags would discourage their use.
I could never imagine myself at the Tesco checkout on a Saturday afternoon with £170 worth of shopping, facing an extra £1.10 for the eleven carrier bags or so, and saying, "Nah, i think i will just carry the whole lot in my arms, or just tip the trolley INTO phpbb_the back of the car and sort it out once i get home."

I dont believe it would reduce the amount of plastic bags used whatsoever.

Percentage · 22-06-2005, 07:55 AM

I think John's on the right track here,it has to come from the consciousness of the consumer.I dont think though that we need to be as pessimistic or cynical as we apear to be,i remember when i first came over here the people in general were hopeless in these matters,they would even put a purchased single packet of chewing gum INTO phpbb_a plastic bag for you to take away (saw it with my own eyes).Things have improved conciderably since then,so many points for recycled waste etc and a "blue"bin being picked up alternate weeks has had an effect on people.

The thing is now how can people realy in the practical sense do this when its so obvious that the plastic carrier bag is the most cost-effective all round.

A couple of questions for my curiosity,does anyone remember roughly what year the plastic carrier bag was introduced INTO phpbb_our supermarkets?
Are the thinner bags realy better from an envirement point of veiw?people tend to double them up & i suspect more are used as they break easier. :?

22-06-2005, 08:09 AM

The bags are not free, that is a fallacy. The price of the bags is included in the price of commodities. Like the NHS, they are only free at the point of use, but people are fooled INTO phpbb_thinking they are not being charged in their shopping bill.

Christina

Roger Gough · 22-06-2005, 01:41 PM

Isn't this scheme already running in Ireland? Certainly many supermarkets in Uk charge for heavy duty re-usable 'Logo-ed' bags.
Wazzamarrer? ....don't you guys do the weekly shop? :wink:

21-06-2005, 10:25 PM	#3 (permalink)
mkpdavies Uber Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Woking Posts: 30,604	How about String bags then. Or paper backed by string. I do think getting rid of plastic bags would be good, I just don't like it when tax is introduced when there are better alternatives. __________________ http://brits4ronpaul.blogspot.com/ http://wokinglibertarians.blogspot.com/ http://lpuk.org My ignore list Labour, Blue Labour, Lib Dems

21-06-2005, 10:42 PM	#4 (permalink)
John Carter Uber Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: On Sabbatical Posts: 5,110	I think what needs to happen is a change at the individual level (i.e. people reusing existing bags). As to how we achieve that, I don't know. Maybe a tax is the only way? Are string or paper bags the way to go? Won't this just cause the same kind of problem but in a different way? What we really need is a way to get folks to reuse existing bags. Maybe... ...just maybe... ...stop the stores from providing any kind of bags? (then folks will need to take their reusable shopping bag on a cart thing with them) -- As an aside, I notice that Tesco bags have become considerably thinner in the last few weeks - so it looks like they're trying to do their bit. __________________ There are three kinds of people in this world: Libertarians, fascists, and those who haven't been paying attention.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

22-06-2005, 03:34 AM	#7 (permalink)
gus Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 12	It is absurd to suggest that a tax of 10p on carrier bags would discourage their use. I could never imagine myself at the Tesco checkout on a Saturday afternoon with £170 worth of shopping, facing an extra £1.10 for the eleven carrier bags or so, and saying, "Nah, i think i will just carry the whole lot in my arms, or just tip the trolley INTO phpbb_the back of the car and sort it out once i get home." I dont believe it would reduce the amount of plastic bags used whatsoever.

22-06-2005, 07:55 AM	#8 (permalink)
Percentage Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: N.Ireland Posts: 1,729	I think John's on the right track here,it has to come from the consciousness of the consumer.I dont think though that we need to be as pessimistic or cynical as we apear to be,i remember when i first came over here the people in general were hopeless in these matters,they would even put a purchased single packet of chewing gum INTO phpbb_a plastic bag for you to take away (saw it with my own eyes).Things have improved conciderably since then,so many points for recycled waste etc and a "blue"bin being picked up alternate weeks has had an effect on people. The thing is now how can people realy in the practical sense do this when its so obvious that the plastic carrier bag is the most cost-effective all round. A couple of questions for my curiosity,does anyone remember roughly what year the plastic carrier bag was introduced INTO phpbb_our supermarkets? Are the thinner bags realy better from an envirement point of veiw?people tend to double them up & i suspect more are used as they break easier. :?

22-06-2005, 08:09 AM	#9 (permalink)
Guest Posts: n/a	The bags are not free, that is a fallacy. The price of the bags is included in the price of commodities. Like the NHS, they are only free at the point of use, but people are fooled INTO phpbb_thinking they are not being charged in their shopping bill. Christina

22-06-2005, 01:41 PM	#10 (permalink)
Roger Gough Senior Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Hotel California Posts: 704	Isn't this scheme already running in Ireland? Certainly many supermarkets in Uk charge for heavy duty re-usable 'Logo-ed' bags. Wazzamarrer? ....don't you guys do the weekly shop? :wink: