Mrs Green on the radio this afternoon
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Is a 15p charge for disposable plastic carrier bags acceptable?
This afternoon between 1pm and 2pm, Radio Northampton will be dedicating their show to the plastic bag issue.
They’ll be asking us whether we should ban disposable plastic carrier bags, make a charge, use biodegradable or ignore the issue and continue as before.
I’ll be on at around 1:45 to share my views. Have you guessed what they are yet?!
If you’re around, you can listen live on the internet by clicking on Radio Northampton’s Listen Live link. If you miss it, then there is a link for you to ‘listen again’ at a later time.
Plans for discussing this issue have come about after BBC news that plans to drastically reduce the use of plastic carrier bags are to be revealed by the Welsh Assembly Government later.
Environment minister Jane Davidson is expected to announce a series of far-reaching proposals which could see shops charge as much as 15p for a bag.
If agreed, Wales would lead the UK on dealing with cutting plastic bag use.
With the likes of Modbury, the first plastic bag freen town in Britain, and pressure hotting up from environmentalists to ditch the plastic bag; it’s a topic that deserves our attention.
If you’re unsure how to live without plastic bags, why not check out our article ‘Reduce plastic carrier bags‘ for tips on going bag free? And don’t forget to buy your exclusive reusable shopping bags from us!
What do you think – is a charge an acceptable compromise, should we ban the plastic bag or is there another solution?
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Short and sweet Mrs G 😉
I find the attitudes of some, very hard to listen to. The lady that was talking when I tuned in, was very anti and obiviously didn’t are one jot for any impact she may be having ….. very sad.
Good interview in such a short timeslot, Mrs G. At least the web address was repeated twice so you may get lots of hits from new people who can benefit from all the wisdom and discussion on the site.
I do agree that one has to ‘shoptest’ a variety of reusable bags (as I discovered when raspberry juice dripped out of my trusty ‘onya’ one Friday morning at the market). but I guess that is only like discovering one’s favourite brand of lipstick or washing up liquid. To date I have found the resackel bags to be as universally useful as any but maybe something that closed over at the top might be even better in the winter – especially if someone has to walk to and from the shop or bus stop.
Of course zero plastic bags is an achievable goal. How did we shop in the fifties and sixties? With brown paper carriers with string handles (the string bit into your fingers after a while, but what’s a hanky for?) and holdalls with waterproof lining and a fetching tartan outer. These usually closed with a zip. If the shop was a weekly one, as it often was, and was likely to be very heavy then the good old shopping trolley came into its own. Oh yes, there are ways but the present generation has yet to learn them that’s all. Keep up the good work!
@Grandma Green:
The lady I heard that was so anti, sounded as though she was from my Mum’s era, not mine. I’m not sure it is just those that grew up with the carrier that are most addicted to it.
@Poppy: wasn’t it, Poppy – he rushed me in at the end. Never mind, 2 good plugs for the site within a minute is not to be sniffed at!
It’s tough when faced with people who do not care, because there is no way to reach them. But perhaps she’ll have grandchildren one day and change her mind, or maybe something will happen to get that awareness going. I guess I was like her once and probably not so long ago …
@Grandma Green: Thank you! The hits were up yesterday, so that was good for us. They tend to get lower this time of year as warmer weather takes people away from their computers – and quite right too!
I think the shopping trolley must be the ultimate for someone who has to catch a bus – I think one lady spoke about them and they are even fashionable now – no longer associated with grannies 😉 A plastic bag free future is definitely attainable and I was going to put that very point across – we’ve only been using carrier bags for 40-50 years and we managed before then..