Comments on: A simple idea to reduce plastic waste

By: Søren K

Søren K — Fri, 11 May 2007 19:18:07 +0000

According to this article, the danes spend an estimate of 700 million kr on plasticbags every year. Furthermore it states that plasticbags actually is one of the most profitable items they sell in the supermarkets … I think they enjoy the revenue they’re making.

But keep thinking. Maybe next time …

By: robin

robin — Fri, 11 May 2007 19:18:07 +0000

We used to live in Broughton Street, Edinburgh, where there was a shop called Realfoods (check it out if you’re there!). In Realfoods, next to the check-out counters, there were bags of recycled plastic bags from all manner of shops, so you could help yourself, or drop off couple of your own.

I think it’s a matter of embarrassing the supermarkets to the point where it becomes too much negative publicity, then they act. Very rarely before.

In terms of what to do, I think paying for bags, free used bags, and being able to deliver old bags for recycling or others to use are all good options on their own or in combination.

By: Branimir Dolički

Branimir Dolički — Fri, 11 May 2007 19:18:07 +0000

Legislation could force supermarkets to buy back used plastic bags, just as with bottles.

By: Branimir Dolički

Branimir Dolički — Fri, 11 May 2007 19:18:07 +0000

Legislation could force supermarkets to buy back used plastic bags, just as with bottles.

By: Rasmus

Rasmus — Fri, 11 May 2007 19:18:07 +0000

It is worth noting that the quality of the plastic bags in Denmark is very high, especially compared to the bags you get in the US. Over here the bags are of such poor quality, that they most often are not reuseable at all. Add to that the supermarkets have a tendency to pack only very few items in each bag, because they are so thin. Perhaps people would use less bags, if they had to pack their own groceries, like you have to in DK.

By: álvaro

álvaro — Fri, 11 May 2007 19:18:07 +0000

I use all the plastic supermarket bags for my own waste… what do you use for your waste?

By: Chris Obdam

Chris Obdam — Fri, 11 May 2007 19:18:07 +0000

In Holland quite a number of supermarket already have a ‘plastic bag share point’, it is not the success they hoped for. But it is used by a number of people.

By: Walter McGinnis

Walter McGinnis — Fri, 11 May 2007 19:18:07 +0000

It’s a fairly common practice be able to drop off your bags for reuse at "co-ops" or health food stores in the States. You may want to look into alternative stores that are more "green" in their practices.

I have a feeling the same sort of stores commonly do it here in New Zealand, too. However, a hell of a lot of people buy cloth bags for their groceries and re-use them instead.

Personally, I reuse my plastic bags for grouping my recycling items. Hopefuly they stand out of the landfill as a result. I used to use them for picking up after my dog, but I now purchase biodegradable bags for that.

Cheers,
Walter

By: Lars Pind

Lars Pind — Fri, 11 May 2007 19:18:07 +0000

Test

By: Morten Frederiksen

Morten Frederiksen — Fri, 11 May 2007 19:18:07 +0000

Danish supermarket chain Irma replies to mail with link to this entry:

""
Kære Morten Frederiksen

Vi har med tak modtaget din mail af den 19. maj ’07, vedr. plastikposer.

Først og fremmest tak for et inspirerende link, i denne tid hvor der
er stor fokus på miljø og genbrug. Dog har vi pt. ikke planer om at
indføre et sådan koncept omkring plastikposer !

Tak for interessen som du har vist Irma !

Med venlig hilsen
Irma AS
""

Short translation: Inspiring, but we have no plans going in that direction.