Single-use plastic bags – no thanks!

As a dedicated organic consumer I like to play my part in minimizing the impact our species has on the planet. There are numerous “big” environmental issues, which I don’t have direct control over, and then there are the smaller ones over which I enjoy at least a degree of control. Naturally enough, rather than depressing myself with my inability to alter the course of global issues, I tend to focus my efforts and attention on the day-to-day things I can do to contribute to a better, cleaner, greener society. That’s why I pay particular attention to the packaging of organic produce. I have an expectation – and I don’t believe it to be unreasonable – that organic products should be packaged in an environmentally responsible manner. I extend this expectation to the packaging options provided at the checkout.

Last week, while visiting with friends in Boston – and feeling inclined to express my gratitude for the most gracious hospitality that had been bestowed upon me – I had cause to visit a local specialty organic store. The store, which I won’t name, was fantastic apart from one major shortcoming. They expected me to leave with my items packaged in single use plastic bags. “What”, I said to the cashier. “You can not be serious”. Although not said with the John McEnroe inflection that you’ve probably just ascribed to my comments – I have to admit – I was shocked. How can anyone sufficiently inspired to open a store dedicated to selling organic produce routinely provide customers with single use plastic bags? And worse still, provide no alternatives.

Some of you may be scratching your head and wondering why I’d bother to upset myself over a few plastic bags. After all, I was partly to blame. Clearly I had entered the store without my own shopping bags. And you’re right to ask – I’m big on consumer responsibility too. Normally I do present at the checkout with my own multi-use, hand-stitched organic cotton bags. But on this occasion I was traveling light. However, even though I hadn’t brought my own bags to take my produce home from the store, I still feel there should have been environmentally friendly packaging options made available.

What was I expecting? There are many alternatives to single-use plastic bags, but my two personal favorites would have to be:

• String bags – these are reusable and convenient. However, while string bags are excellent for bulky items such as the larger varieties of fruits and vegetables, they can prove awkward for holding smaller items.
• Calico bags – these reusable cotton bags are easy to wash. They fit into a pocket (or handbag) for portability and they hold more items than your average single-use plastic bag. They last for about a year and look great when a little bit of color and imagination is applied to them.

The irony is, it would have made sound business sense for this particular store to offer me an alternative to the single-use plastic bag packaging they were pushing. And here’s why:

• Cost savings – supplying plastic bags is a business expense to them with no financial return;
• Lost advertising opportunities – a reusable packaging option would likely have had the store’s logo emblazoned on it in a prominent position, thus ensuring the store’s brand was constantly visible and in the minds of both current and potential customers.
• Customer loyalty – most consumers are aware of the need to protect the environment for future generations. Providing alternatives to single-use plastic bags represents an opportunity to ensure customers remain loyal.

It might seem like a small and insignificant issue, but single-use plastic bags spoil our parks and beaches, block our drains, harm our wildlife and take over 1000 years to break down. Fortunately, steps are being taken. Many cities, including Boston in the United States, and indeed many countries throughout the world are starting to take this issue seriously. It’s important that organic storekeepers show some leadership in this area.