Sainsburys, Newsnight on BBC 2 now

[Pubic Wig]

Originally Posted by Thebigyin04

and both have a MUCH better economy than the UK , so its no suprise that they can afford to tax plastic bags .

True enough but its surely not that hard to charge a few pence for each bag used. it would encurage people to re-use bags too.

[Keerin]

we should just ban people.

[Thebigyin04]

Originally Posted by Pubic Wig

True enough but its surely not that hard to charge a few pence for each bag used. it would encurage people to re-use bags too.

would it not be better to increase the price of bags to the supermarkets , so that they implememnt that change(i.e. putting a charge on bags ) , rather than intially creating charge for the consumer ?

Because as far as i can see it those who do big shops are using the re-useable bags , and in my house they are used for everything .

[Pubic Wig]

Originally Posted by Thebigyin04

Because as far as i can see it those who do big shops are using the re-useable bags , and in my house they are used for everything .

Haha, same here man.

[Keerin]

Originally Posted by Thebigyin04

would it not be better to increase the price of bags to the supermarkets , so that they implememnt that change(i.e. putting a charge on bags ) , rather than intially creating charge for the consumer ?

Because as far as i can see it those who do big shops are using the re-useable bags , and in my house they are used for everything .

Because then the cost would be passed onto the consumer at a higher cost to the consumer than it would now. If a supermarket pays for something then that cost is passed onto someone else, be it the suppliers, farmers or consumers but usually all three.

[Vikrum]

Asda are removing single-use bags from their tills from June. They're under the counter and you have to ask the assistant for one. My local one already has this implemented, with bags for life in the bag rack thing instead, and the cashier keeping an eye and charging for how many you use. Obviously if you take your own bags, nae charge.

Frankly, if Asda can do this (which is one of the cheapest supermarkets out there), why the hell can't Tesco, Sainsbury's, Morrison's etc?

Asda to remove single-use carriers from checkouts - Talking Retail

[Thebigyin04]

Originally Posted by Keerin

Because then the cost would be passed onto the consumer at a higher cost to the consumer than it would now. If a supermarket pays for something then that cost is passed onto someone else, be it the suppliers, farmers or consumers but usually all three.

i dont if it would be higher , but thats what i am suggesting , that its not the government that should place the charge on the consumer it should be the retailer , then you dont get direct political hate from the consumer.

[Vikrum]

Sometimes decisions need to be made that aren't popular.
Call me old fashioned, but being in politics isn't about gaining friends. It's about doing the right thing.

[Hometown Zero]

Originally Posted by Vikrum

I happen to think Austria/Germany are very good comparisons with the UK, as both charge for plastic bags, and both countries have excellent reputations for recycling within the home. Britain is so far behind them in terms of environmental sustainability.

In Germany they recycle a lot more but also get money back on items recycled. This is probably the best way forward because it'd encourage people to recycle. I mean, how many glass Barr bottles do you see lying around or smashed up? not many, cos we'r stingy bastards as a nation and want our 20p back! haha

[Vikrum]

I just think it's a habit thing.
We're not used to recycling and are lazy. Once you start, you can't stop and give people who chuck glass/cardboard/plastics into their bin bizarre 'what on earth are you doing?' type looks.

At home we have recycling bins collected regularly, and the bin is only collected fortnightly to force people to recycle their rubbish. My only complaint is that they don't recycle plastics, so my Mam drops that off elsewhere. They even collect food waste, i forget that not everyone has gardens and thus, compost heaps. We always have!
/sheltered.

I find it hard to believe that even the poorest families can't afford 6 bags at a £1 a pop that'll last them for years. Genuinely.

[Rebelius]

Originally Posted by Vikrum

I find it hard to believe that even the poorest families can't afford 6 bags at a £1 a pop that'll last them for years. Genuinely.

or 10 bags at 10p a pop that'll last them forever - with a free replacement when they start falling apart.

edit: those jute bags are for idiots.