Do You Still Get Plastic Carry Bags from Shop Keeper When You Are Shopping?
By AKRao24
@AKRao24 (27424)
India
October 29, 2010 12:50pm CST
As a part of prevention of pollution to environment, here in India,government has passed a rule where by using of plastic carry bags is banned and the shop keepers are given instructions not to use plastic bags to pack the goods sold by them. Instead thy are asked to Eco friendly paper bags.
this is because plastic when thrown as wastage the garbage thus formed is full of plastics and when such garbage used to refilling the soil or recycles this plastic being indestructible can't decay to replenish the soil. Plastic is a synthetic material which can not be destroyed when buried in the soil. If burnt it emits very toxic gases and soot,that is the reason why the use of this product is banned by government. for this the Government is making sure to educate the people through the medium of TV, News papers,Magazines and FM Radios.Some NGOs also actively participating in this movement and they are are actively reprimanding the vendors who are using this bags.
In Spite of all these I am really surprised and with heavy heart I am saying that still some big shops and show Rooms in various big cities are still using these plastic bags to pack the goods sold. Some big show rooms, departmental stores even printing their names on these bags without any fear!
This is not a healthy thing and should be discouraged. How about your City and the near by places, Do you still get plastic bags to pack the things you buy from the Market or from a shop ? Do you have any laws which state that such plastic bags are not to be used? Please respond ! Thanks !
3 people like this
10 responses
@oldchem1 (8132)
•
30 Oct 10
I have not used store plastic carrier bags for a long time; I keep a selection of recyclable Hessian bags in the boot of my car and some small folding bags in my handbag.
What brought me round to doing this was an incident about ten years ago.
I went to a local supermarket an they had run out of carrier bags, there was some problem with their delivery; I said to the cashier' I have loads of them at home', she remarked that almost all the customers had said the same and yet they still came and got new ones - this made me realise just how wasteful and un-environmental I was being and since then I ALWAYS have my own bags with me.
Let's face it, although the bags are classed as being 'free' they can't really be free and the cost must be added somewhere to our shopping apart from the cost to the environment.
@AKRao24 (27424)
• India
22 Jan 11
Dear Oldchem, i am happy to know that the incidence has helped you as an eye opener! Yes they must be adding the cost of the bags in our bills only other wise which businessman would like to pay from his pocket? LOL!
Today I am happy that in India some big Departmental stores in Big Cities have started charging the customers for carry bag, I think this will help the people to get their own bags and we can have a better environment for the future generation to come! A small step taken today will lead to the big success of tomorrow! Thanks for responding! Really sorry for being late in reciprocating your valuable response ! All the best! Bye!
@his0yir (258)
•
30 Oct 10
In the country where I live plastic bags are allowed, and most supermarkets and shops just hand them out without hesitation. If you walk on the high street, you can see lots of people carrying their shopping with all sorts of plastic bags provided by shops. Although many people know the potential environment problems brought by plastic bags, it is not a generally aware issue.
On the other hand, some leading supermarkets, like Tesco or Sainsbury, are trying to promote reusable bags and give their customers reward points if they reuse bags for their shopping. Many shops would ask if you need a bag when you are at the check-out. However, in my opinion, we haven't taken the issue seriously and publicize the eco knowledge throughout the mass. And the government so far hasn't made any meaningful interruption. But I guess people in this country are so used to having a bag conveniently provided for their shopping, they will not accept it if the government enforces a law to forbid the use of plastic bags.
As for me, I always bring my own bags when I go shopping. It sometimes makes influence on people waiting behind me. I think it is easier for us to start it from the community and change the public view gradually, instead of having the government taken control of everything abruptly.
@AKRao24 (27424)
• India
6 Nov 10
There you are my dear his0yir, you got my point, we can take a horse to a pond but can't make him drink the water. Similarly the laws can be enforced but they will only work if there is a consciousness about it prevailing about the issues among the people.
I am happy about your approach of carrying your own bag to make others realise the importance of it. This is the best way of teaching the people as Charity begins at home! Thanks for responding in such a nice way, after getting the crux of the discussion initiated!Thanks !
@joey_matthews (8354)
•
29 Oct 10
Plastic bags are not banned here, but most shops now have the shopping bags behind the counter so that when you want one or some you have to pay for them, which deters some people from getting them because they think if they actually need one... because they don't want to pay for something they are not going to use. Shops do now sell more expensive reusable bags that last alot longer and that way they are not handing out loads of bags that aren't often used again.
@AKRao24 (27424)
• India
1 Nov 10
That is one of the good way keeping the people away from using these plastc carry bags dear Joey Matthews ! Yes people tend to be bit more reluctant to use these bags if they need to pay for these from their pockets. They otherwise would have gone in for these bags if were given free. It is nice to know that though there is no official ban but people are aware of bad effects of using these bags and they are co operating in the movement of protecting the environment! Thanks dear Joey for responding !
@AKRao24 (27424)
• India
31 Oct 10
That is right dear Cher! Almost all of us think on the same lines that since they are having these things at their disposal and they are readily giving this bags at no extra cost and these things are making our lives easy, then why should we carry our own carry bags. I am also no exception for this type of thinking! Yes it makes sense that why unnecessarily I will have burden of carrying a bag on me when I am getting plastic carry bags from the shop keepers! Now it is the time where we need to evaluate our thinking looking at the future problems which can be detrimental o the coming generations! It is the voluntary and conscious efforts of ours which will bring the change in this trend.Lets start discouraging the use of these bags as much as possible as charity begins at home! Thanks dear Cher for responding!
@Sanitary (3968)
• Singapore
30 Oct 10
Yes, our shops here are still using plastic bags when it comes to shopping. Most organizations or private boutique are still using them because of the low cost. While government can't be passing down the law of prohibiting the use of plastic bags as it means a lost of income for plastic makers and businesses. What government can do is encouraging its people to cut down on plastic bag usage. Some supermarts here are implementing the no plastic bag rule. If we need any, we have to pay for them. But it's only costing just $0.1 and I doubt it's of any use.
@AKRao24 (27424)
• India
1 Nov 10
That is real problem with the developing countries dear Sanitary! Government needs to compromise many a times at many a places to meet the financial needs. No doubt plastic industry is a big industry and the Government gets lot of revenue from these industries! But in spite of that if some super bazaars are discouraging by selling these bags to people.This voluntary initiation is worth appreciating! Displaying some banners at various crowded places, promoting about the ill effects of using these bags on the TV and radios together with Newspaper can bring good awareness amongst the people! Thanks for responding !
1 person likes this
@Krizz420canada (531)
• Canada
30 Oct 10
Well I have to say the India government is on to something and I commend them on trying to have that law. Living here in Canada I still see large amounts of plastic bags being used as well as styrofoam containers. My personal honest belief is that its now a little to late to try to be saing the environment but hey I guess we need to start somewhere right?
@AKRao24 (27424)
• India
1 Nov 10
You are right dear Krizz, though it is late, its always better late than never. With such a large population in India, if things are not controlled any thing can spread very fast. Same case applied for carry bags also,though presently it is not seen much in remotely placed rural areas, but urban areas have become addicted to the use of these bags, Though they are convenient and strong their long effect is detrimental for us and for our next generations, It becomes our moral duty to provide them clean and unpolluted environment for our future generations and because of this factor we have to make a start from a point and since started, now it becomes moral responsibility of every citizen to implement it strictly, which i believe would take some more time! Thanks for responding!
@ram_cv (16513)
• India
29 Oct 10
Though the law is passed, like many things in India it will take some time to get into action. I still see quite a lot of shops still continuing to use the plastic bags. In fact, just a couple of days back I got a nice little plastic bag from a super market.
Let's just hope that sooner rather than later, this law comes into effect.
Cheers!
Ram
@AKRao24 (27424)
• India
30 Oct 10
Yes with the today's generation which is fortunately quite informed because of mass media, it can be possible to get the required changes in the society. The kids and growing up youngsters also now have the awareness about the repercussions of environmental pollution. So they will start co operate this movement in helping the nature to conserve itself! Thanks for responding dear Ram CV!
@my_name_is_coco (4334)
• Philippines
31 Oct 10
I lessen my use of plastic bags.when I am buying in the convenience store or boutique,I ask them not to wrap my purchase.I just bring the receipt with me.I don't like plastic bags because they just add mess to our house.I carry around a messenger bag,and it has room where I can put my purchase.
@imphavok (320)
• Canada
29 Oct 10
Here in Canada it is not law , but most stores are charging for plastic bags now to promote people bring their own eco-friendly bags with them. I am a big enviromentalist and having been using reusable bags for almost ten years now. I think it should definitely be law worldwide, but I also understand it does take time to institue. At least people are moving in the right direction.
@AKRao24 (27424)
• India
31 Oct 10
That is one of the way, by charging for the plastic carry bags we can reduce the consumption of these bags dear imphavok! I am happy to know that you are real environmentalist and you are using reusable bags to carry your things for last ten years. I think this problem is seen in the developed and developing countries only where these products are being used with much of zeal and enthusiasm to make one's life easy without having futuristic vision. In India also if we go to rural areas we see that most of the people are carrying their own bags or baskets to take home their goods purchased from the market!
Thus I think it is mainly the problem with Urban people who are educated and having awareness of the consequences of using these bags whom we require to motivate! If this lot gets motivated all by themselves then the picture would be different rather compelling them to so by government i the form of Law!
Yes, as you said it will take time and we are going on right path! For winning every big Marathon we need to take a first step and luckily this step has been already taken World wide and soon let's hope to complete the Marathon in a grand Way! Thanks for responding!
