I don't know what it's like where you live, but here in southcentral Pennsylvania, grocery stores make it tough to be earth-friendly. I'm lucky to have bought my own reusable bags years ago, when the supermarket I frequented wasn't afraid to sell practical, large-size bags. Those tiny totes I see in the stores now seem designed more for multiple bag sales than typical grocery hauls. If consumers have to buy 8 bags to carry a routine load, they'll probably just stick with the free plastic option.
Even though I provide my own 18 x 16 x 7-inch, breathable, moisture-proof bags, I still have to insist that store checkout clerks not ply me with plastic -- for frozen foods, produce, salad bar containers and any number of other items they deem "separate" or special. I also have to ask that they fill the bags completely; for some reason, they tend to fill them half-full, then reach again for the plastic. They have actually argued with me when I say that I prefer full bags, everything together. If this is the response we earth-conscious types get, how many patrons are going to adopt mindful habits?
My latest beef with grocers is paper-wasting receipts. Last week I bought three items from a local supermarket; my receipt was 30 inches long. I bought one item last night and got a 20-inch receipt. I'm not interested in the flower department's sale, the sandwich club or the "Golden Awards" program. I don't need to know that the pharmacy is now open. The logo alone takes up 2.5 inches. This isn't even a national chain, but a locally owned store. You would think that, whether or not they are eco-minded, they would embrace ways to reduce operating costs, and clearly they are using two-thirds more paper than necessary.
One UK grocer is doing its part: it prints receipts on both sides of the paper. Some advocate electronic receipts. Others suggest declining receipts when possible. For my part, I think I'll start with a letter to the local grocery store manager, asking for larger bring-your-own bags, a bit of education or training for employees and consideration of shorter receipts. If you have other suggestions, please share them.
Tuesday, September 02, 2008
Paper With Your Plastic
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
3 comments:
I've had clerks fill my reuseable bags halfway then reach for the plastic as well. I now make sure to tell them at the beginning that they need to fill each bag.
Our neighborhood store prints receipts on both sides. The warehouse store where we do our monthly, major shopping doesn't - and the receipts can easily be 60 inches long. I tend to cut them into smaller rectangles and use the unprinted side to take notes by the computer and phone.
Speaking with the store manager is a great idea. The only suggestion I would add is this - if you have friends, neighbors or family that shop at the same store(s), why not ask them to add their voices to yours? A quick phone call (give the name and number to make it even easier!) or postcard would be great. And of course, the more people they hear from the more seriously they'll take your requests and suggestions.
You can also ask for the paper bags instead of the plastic when your reusables are full. I bring 5 or 6 reusables but sometimes need more even when they're packed fully! The paper sacks can then be reused to pack up paper recycles on trash day and still in 2008, make the best bookcovers!
Thank you, Cynthia and Stella, for these great suggestions!
Post a Comment