Green shopper? Green checkout assistant?

Today the local news reported on the use of plastic bags in Singapore and how supermarkets are now trying to reduce the use of plastic bags by introducing recyclable green bags. This is not a new idea. Australia, and probably other countries, has begun this "recycling" scheme quite a few years back.

But do you know how "green" are these recylable bags? I've found this SMH news article and in it, a reader, who has retired after 30 years in the packaging industry, exclaimed that "these bags are made of the same 'almost indestructible' materials used in car bumpers and wheelie bins".

I don't condemn these bags. I have to admit that I did own about 4 of them when I was living in Sydney. I am almost certain that every household in Australia owns one of these too. These bags are stronger than the normal plastic bags and can hold a greater capacity. I found them really useful since I have to carry the whole weeks shopping from the car to the apartment, alone. I just want to inform Singapore what you are getting, before everyone heads out and buy a dozen of these.

On another point, I believe that we should be smart shopper instead of being dependent on plastic bags, especially if you do not have a green bag with you.

I have been observing shoppers and checkout assistants over the past month. I've noticed that some shoppers are plastic-bag-aholics. They will request for plastic bags every time without fail! Recently, I was at my local convenient store and there was this lady in the line in front of me who had just paid for a small carton of fruit juice. This lady requested the item to be bagged after noticing that the checkout assistant was not going to give her one. In my mind, I think that this lady will be heading to the nearby bus stop to finish her drink and throw it away. Bag use life = 5 minutes. Time taken for bag to disintegrate = a life time.

I've also noticed that some checkout assistants will automatically bag your items, no matter how big or small they are. Some will even insist on you using a plastic bag! Again at my local convenient store, I was there to buy a bottle of soft drink. After paying for it, the checkout assistant quickly bagged it for me. I told him to keep the bag as I am sure I can manage to carry a bottle of soft drink home without much trouble. He exclaimed "啊唷! 我们公司那么大, 又那么多钱, 不用帮它们省啦!" At other times, when I reject the use of a plastic bag, the checkout assistant will give me a nasty face, as they believe I was slowing them down because they have to remove my item from the plastic bag. Sometimes I also wonder if they do reuse the scrunched up bag that I had rejected. If not, my effort will be wasted. But one thing for sure, the mentality of these assistant must change.

We have treated plastic bags for granted. We have to change our ways and mentallity to help the environment. Ask yourself if you really need to have a double bag for your 5 apples? Do you already have a bag to carry your items?

*Image courtesy of Planet Ark