Give the packaging back!

nzmegs

I watched a tv programme the other night and the guy was doing the shopping and in an attempt to cut back on his waste (both recyclable and not) he simply removed all the packaging he relistically could while he was at the checkout. For example the outer cardboard covers on plastic tubs of dips, or the plastic wrap on drink cans.
In the future I do beleive we will all be expected to pay for the dumping of our waste and if we all started to do what this man did at the supermarket then it would be them paying - not us! Wouldn't that be the perfect excuse for them to encourage their suppliers to cut down on packaging and to cut back on their own.
My only fear would be that the supermarket would just chuck it all in the bin and not recycle it as I would.
Would you have the guts to do it yourselves? I think I might feel like a bit of a pain - but i would feel good about getting my message across in such an obvious way!
How long would it take them to start telling people they can't do it...

asea

I think the people in the queue behind me might have something to say!

moonrakerz

nzmegs wrote: »

I watched a tv programme the other night and the guy was doing the shopping and in an attempt to cut back on his waste (both recyclable and not) he simply removed all the packaging he relistically could while he was at the checkout. For example the outer cardboard covers on plastic tubs of dips, or the plastic wrap on drink cans.
In the future I do beleive we will all be expected to pay for the dumping of our waste and if we all started to do what this man did at the supermarket then it would be them paying - not us! Wouldn't that be the perfect excuse for them to encourage their suppliers to cut down on packaging and to cut back on their own.
M

Brilliant idea - I've done that for ages with those stupid plastic hook/labels that Morrison's have on every bunch of bananas !

sinizterguy

If a pay-through-the-nose-as-you-throw scheme is brought in, then it would be a great way to encourage them to atleast try to reduce their packaging - provided enough people did it.

People behind you at the queue would be suitable annoyed. Honestly, I would be spitting mad if I was in a rush and someone one in front was doing such stuff.

tr3mor

moonrakerz wrote: »

Brilliant idea - I've done that for ages with those stupid plastic hook/labels that Morrison's have on every bunch of bananas !

They really annoy me. I go to Morrisons for lunch. Often I want a single banana! :mad:

nickj_2

if you think of all the items that are packaged 2 - 3 times .... cereals , toothpaste etc , and things that don't require any packaging at all ,cucumbers - why do they need to be wrapped ,

amanndajane

i work for asda and customers do it all the time, cant say as it bothers me that much, i normally ask them to step to one side to do it and leave it on the side.Unfortunately (to my knowledge anyway)we dont recycle as yet but i`m pestering management about it !!

Seakay

Wouldn't it be best (for others in the queue at least) to reload paid for items into your trolley/basket, and then leave all unwanted packaging in that as you pack your own bags/boxes at your leisure away from the till. That way you could leave behind excess packaging (although I'm not sure that history has shown that such direct action has had any effect on policy so far) without creating a hold up.

gromituk

nickj wrote: »

if you think of all the items that are packaged 2 - 3 times .... cereals , toothpaste etc , and things that don't require any packaging at all ,cucumbers - why do they need to be wrapped ,

Shop at a supermarket that doesn't overpackage so much. Lidl's toothpaste is just there in the tube, and it charges for carrier bags, thus reducing their use enormously and keeping prices down for the sensible amongst us.

sinizterguy

Seakay wrote: »

Wouldn't it be best (for others in the queue at least) to reload paid for items into your trolley/basket, and then leave all unwanted packaging in that as you pack your own bags/boxes at your leisure away from the till. That way you could leave behind excess packaging (although I'm not sure that history has shown that such direct action has had any effect on policy so far) without creating a hold up.

That would be much better than doing it at the till. But there is a very high chance you would just find it all lying in the car park a little later.

miss_corerupted

i saw that program as well on bbc3 i laughed so much.

i bet if we all started doing it they will start recycling