Retailers in Europe, like Booths supermarkets, and the United States, like Walmart, are pulling back on having self-checkout in light of complaints and shoplifting.
Where I live (Montréal, Canada) plastic bags are banned everywhere. You either bring your own or buy a reusable at the cash. Some places (like grocery stores) also sell paper bags. You get used to it. If you have a car you leave a bunch of reusables in the trunk, if you don’t you just have to remember to bring one with you. The also sell some super thin ones you can carry in your pockets that are sturdy and large enough for a small run at the grocery store.
The only thing I’d hate about that, is if they don’t have a recyclable option and you always have to buy the reusable ones. At some point they just become garbage because you forgot them for the last 20 trips, and who needs 100 reusable bags?
I have about what, five reusable bags. One is always in the backpack to use both as a basket replacement in case the supermarket doesn’t have any (or they’re all at the exit and none at the entry), or as overflow container for the backpack, one is generally holding onions and yet another potatoes (both hanging), that leaves – yep, one as backup and the awkward small one is stuffed with three dirty dish towels waiting for hot wash to accumulate.
Do consider cloth bags simply because it’s easy to actually give enough of a fuck about them, just like you give a fuck about a t-shirt. Oh and keeping potatoes and onions in plastic would likely not end well. The only plastic bags I buy are bin liners.
If you’re shopping with a car the standard over here is to have a fold-up box in your boot.
I think you’re misunderstanding me. I’m saying that I’d hate situations where my choice is “carry loose items” or “buy new bags” if I’ve forgotten my already owned bags at home. I don’t dislike reusable bags, I own quite a few actually, but when I forget them I’d rather buy paper bags than be forced to buy yet more reusable bags.
It’s not that I care what they’re made of. Here they’re required to charge 10¢/bag. I would happily take a paper bag. The thing I don’t like is being treated like an extremely petty criminal.
As an aide though, everything I’ve read supports the conclusion that the bag bans only lead to more waste. IIRC, a generous estimate would mean you need to reuse a bag at least 20x in order to break even on resource usage… Which basically never happens. It’s an excellent example of a feel good solution that sounds good until you run the numbers. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
That said, I’d be perfectly happy to see us eliminate almost all uses of disposable plastics.
It’s different here (at Walmart at least), they leave all their reusable bags at the self checkout where you can just buy them. But there is a lot of staff and the area is like a bullpen, so there is only one exit and there are employees looking at the carts’ contents.
As for the bags, for sure it’s a contentious topic. And I agree with you. As I mentioned in another reply, I see a lot of the sturdier reusable bags for sale at thrift store, they have to roll them up and put them in a bin they have so many…
Where I live (Montréal, Canada) plastic bags are banned everywhere. You either bring your own or buy a reusable at the cash. Some places (like grocery stores) also sell paper bags. You get used to it. If you have a car you leave a bunch of reusables in the trunk, if you don’t you just have to remember to bring one with you. The also sell some super thin ones you can carry in your pockets that are sturdy and large enough for a small run at the grocery store.
The only thing I’d hate about that, is if they don’t have a recyclable option and you always have to buy the reusable ones. At some point they just become garbage because you forgot them for the last 20 trips, and who needs 100 reusable bags?
I agree. I have a drawer full and a bunch in my car. I see a lot of them for sale for a buck at thrift stores, it’s kind of funny and sad.
I have about what, five reusable bags. One is always in the backpack to use both as a basket replacement in case the supermarket doesn’t have any (or they’re all at the exit and none at the entry), or as overflow container for the backpack, one is generally holding onions and yet another potatoes (both hanging), that leaves – yep, one as backup and the awkward small one is stuffed with three dirty dish towels waiting for hot wash to accumulate.
Do consider cloth bags simply because it’s easy to actually give enough of a fuck about them, just like you give a fuck about a t-shirt. Oh and keeping potatoes and onions in plastic would likely not end well. The only plastic bags I buy are bin liners.
If you’re shopping with a car the standard over here is to have a fold-up box in your boot.
I think you’re misunderstanding me. I’m saying that I’d hate situations where my choice is “carry loose items” or “buy new bags” if I’ve forgotten my already owned bags at home. I don’t dislike reusable bags, I own quite a few actually, but when I forget them I’d rather buy paper bags than be forced to buy yet more reusable bags.
Or how about you forgot to bring them in with you but don’t realize it until everything is unloaded on the conveyor?
Most grocery stores still offer paper bags and personally I love them to pack everything I want to bring to the recycling bin
Yes, and also for the compost. I used to store a few as well but they are so thin now, it’s not worth it.
It’s not that I care what they’re made of. Here they’re required to charge 10¢/bag. I would happily take a paper bag. The thing I don’t like is being treated like an extremely petty criminal.
As an aide though, everything I’ve read supports the conclusion that the bag bans only lead to more waste. IIRC, a generous estimate would mean you need to reuse a bag at least 20x in order to break even on resource usage… Which basically never happens. It’s an excellent example of a feel good solution that sounds good until you run the numbers. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
That said, I’d be perfectly happy to see us eliminate almost all uses of disposable plastics.
I like the aldi model with no bags—when you forget a bag you look for an empty box. Not ideal for people who walked though.
last time we hit aldi, no bags or boxes. we just threw all the stuff into the trunk and dealt with it at home.
It’s different here (at Walmart at least), they leave all their reusable bags at the self checkout where you can just buy them. But there is a lot of staff and the area is like a bullpen, so there is only one exit and there are employees looking at the carts’ contents.
As for the bags, for sure it’s a contentious topic. And I agree with you. As I mentioned in another reply, I see a lot of the sturdier reusable bags for sale at thrift store, they have to roll them up and put them in a bin they have so many…
I’ve definitely used my reusable bags more than 20 times. Why don’t people use them more than 20 times?