Australia Cuts 80% of Plastic Bag Use in 3 Short Months

[underpants]

Despite a few hiccups along the way, Australia's plastic bag consumption has dropped drastically.

Three months after two of the largest supermarket chains banned plastic grocery bags, an estimated 1.5 billion bags have been prevented from use, the Australian Associated Press reported, citing the National Retail Association.

Overall, the bans introduced by Coles and Woolworths last summer resulted in an 80 percent reduction in the country's overall use of the single-use item, the retail group revealed.

"Indeed, some retailers are reporting reduction rates as high as 90 per cent," National Retail Association's David Stout told the news service.

https://www.ecowatch.com/australia-plastic-bag-ban-2622280343.html

[Sherman A1]

1. K&R

[Hortensis]

2. One plus about not leading the way is being able to evaluate

steps taken by those who are.

Go, Coles and Woolworth's!

Speaking of, how many on this forum bring their own reusable bags to markets with them? Perhaps one day we'd like to (modestly) let it be known we didn't have to be forced to.

At $35, these 10 bags plus case in several colors are on the bigger initial outlay end, but users do say they love them. Six for $11-15 are also easily found on line, and of course one for $2-5 at the market.

[Aristus]

3. I do.

I've been using them regularly for about fourteen years now.

On the rare occasions when I forget them (I store them in the trunk of my car, so they're always there...) I ask for paper bags instead, then toss the bags in the recycle bin when all the groceries are put away.

[tblue37]

29. I keep mine in the backseat of the car. I also keep my cane there, and my purse, so I

never forget to take my bags into the store.

[malaise]

4. Plastic bags have been banned in our supermarkets since January

It's amazing to see how well and how quickly people adjusted.
Likewise they are fazing out Styrofoam cups and lunch boxes.

[Hortensis]

5. Great! Like Aristus, our only problem is occasionally forgetting them.

Since we purchased ours one by one in different states, we have a very varied collection, which we stuff into the latest one hanging elegantly on our foyer doorknob until we carry it out to the car. The car always has some, and I keep hoping hiking back to get them in a southern summer will finally train us not to forget.

I'm coveting the set I posted for its convenience, but my husband would not be happy at the outlay.

[tblue37]

31. I buy good sized reusable bags for just $0.99 at the grocery store.

These are not actually the ones from my store, but they are the same kind.

[Hortensis]

34. Those are a nice size. Some of mine last better than

others, so over time I will be replacing some of my old stock with sturdier as I find them for a good price. Hard to beat $.99... That just gave me the thought that some stores may help their customers "transition" and sell a lot of bags by dropping the prices. I still have a few old $.50 or .59 ones.

[tblue37]

37. My store is Dillon's (same company as Kroger). I have bags from Dillon's that are 15 years

old that I still use. If I take a few bags into the store but then realize I didn't bring in enough*, I just buy another for $0.99.

*(I have enough bags in the car, but occasionally I underestimate how much bag space I will need, so I take in fewer than necessary.)

[Hortensis]

41. :) My husband got permanently excited when he realized

I was buying new bags instead of walking out to the car for the ones I forgot. We got a lot of bags before he caught on.

[tblue37]

42. Why was he excited? Does he just really like new bags? nt

[Hortensis]

43. Lol. I'll tell him that one. Yes, he's into bags.

[tblue37]

44. I actually get that. I like them, too. I like when Dillon's offers bags with an attractive

new design, and will sometimes buy one just because it's so cheap and I like it.

[marybourg]

7. Been bringing my own bags conscientiously for about 35 years.

One of the original bags is still in use. Of course, it’s much different from the purpose-built bags they sell now. The others are at about the 23-25 year range.

[Hortensis]

9. Wow. :) I have one ancient Trader Joe's bag, but it's still in decent

shape because it has an "envelope" bottom, not a square one. I've only been bringing my own consistently enough to claim some use for about 20 years, though, and fairly conscientiously maybe a third that long.

One of the sets I just saw on Amazon includes mesh produce bags. I've never used plastic if I could just put the produce in my cart, and avoided produce in wrappings where possible, but I have been using plastic bags all along for loose green beans and such. Way past to bring our own.

[OnDoutside]

13. A lot of supermarkets here and in Europe sell foldable cloth bags for a euro. We have few that I

would rarely be caught short for a bag. I think I bought one single use plastic bag this year, and in fact they are gone now from most supermarkets entirely.

[Hortensis]

14. Love hearing it. The big advance in my area of Georgia

is that most cashiers now know what the reusable bags are for, even if some are still clumsy using them.

I say "most" because just a couple of months ago, while I was reading my phone instead of watching, a cashier bagged everything in plastic. The 2 old reusable bags (with logos of other markets) that I'd set in front of my groceries got their own plastic bag.

True story.

[OnDoutside]

18. I'd believe it. I remember going on holidays to Spain, and they'd almost hand you a box of single

use plastic bags, but when I was there last year, the culture had changed massively. I think the key is not to go all draconian but do it in stages, with a small charge first, which made the biggest change here in Ireland. A 5c charge resulted in a 90% reduction. People adjust surprisingly quickly. I think in Germany, people have a habit of removing the packaging at the store, so they're not needlessly bringing the stuff home.

[Hortensis]

24. 90%! I love the idea of removing packaging in the store.

Let the store have the expense of disposing of it.

[OnDoutside]

26. Exactly.

[WhiteTara]

28. I have lots of bags

I love the insulated bags. I have two of those. One for each car and lots of cloth bags. But somehow, we still end up with plastic bags from time to time. My new thing is not using saran wrap and I struggle with plastic freezer bag issues every day. I found beeswax wrap on Amazon in rolls which is my next purchase.

[Hortensis]

33. :) Somehow. Yes.

I don't do a lot of baking and never used a whole lot of foil, but I've cut way down what I do use by reusing but mainly by just "going black." I'd never let browned stuff remain on any of my cookware, tops or bottoms, but that sometimes meant either cover with foil or do a lot of scrubbing. So last year I designated a half baking sheet and a small aluminum oven "plate" as ones I'd just wash and throw in the dishwasher normally and otherwise let turn black over time. They look awful, but oh well. The oven's not exactly a Petrie dish.

I use permanent containers a lot more now than before, replacing some zip-lock type bags, but those may still be the last thing I give up entirely -- probably unwillingly when regulators pry them from my tear-wet fingers. Hoping one of the many miracles of science/tech save us from that dark day, but mostly what eliminating and/or cutting back I've done has been painless.

[procon]

6. How do Australian politicians manage to

ban guns and bags without the whole country falling into chaos and anarchy with riots in the streets led by antigovernment fascists?

Are politicians down under braver, smarter, more pragmatic than their American counterparts? Why can't we see that same kind of committed leadership where elected politicians actually do something for the good of the country and respond to the will of the people who elected them?

A rhetorical question, I know, but I've had enough. Hasn't the expiration date run out on our self serving public servants?

[canetoad]

20. No smarter in general than yours

But I think its a systemic thing; less money in politics here. In many ways we are a fragile county, especially environment-wise.

I guess it's worth noting that the two big supermarket chains banned single-use bags before any law did so. I can't remember who was first, but the other followed within days or weeks. In my cynical mind, I saw an immediate profit increase, which to the corporations, was probably the main instigator, not enviromental concerns.

If the overuse of plastics was the real issue, you just need to look down any aisle at the amount of non-recyclable plastic packaging. That hasn't changed.

Still, I'm glad that people are using their own shopping bags. It's a start.

[procon]

21. The attraction of money in politics is undeniable,

and I agree it's also selective and corrupting. If money was the sole motivating factor then we would have begun the switch to renewable energies back in the 70s when Big Oil first recognized the long term effects of fossil fuels on the environment. Instead we argue about lightbulbs and and how much lead contaminated drinking water little kids can tolerate.

I don't know if it's the same in Australia, but rightwing politics in the US and the accompanying greed have been the deciding factor in making heated, decisive problems of otherwise no brainer issues like guns and bags, energy, infrastructure and so forth.

The two sides, one brasenly self serving and the other bent toward the common good, simply can't coexist. Change will only happen when the population get so disgusted they demand politicians get something done.

[canetoad]

22. Overall, we're a pretty godless country

I think back to the origins of our two countries - many similarities but many differences too. We have a reputation for (sometimes unjustly) cutting down tall poppies - people shouldn't get too big for their boots, OK? Remember our origins as a convict founded country.

But we never completely cut ties with the UK, up to keeping the same Parliamentary system.

Your heritage, on the other hand was, 'come to the usa and get rich.' I dunno - that's far too simplistic. I spend a lot of time comparing our lives and cultures. 1776 - USA formed and Cpt. cook discovered Australia.

Evangelical religion never quite gained a foothold here. Not that they don't try - there's a huge oufit in Sydney called Hillsong and I believe our current PM is a member. But they're still not as bad as your fundies; they've been brainwashed, and I don't use that term lightly. They have lost the ability to think critically.

[tblue37]

32. Kroger/Dillon's will phase out plastic bags by--2025. Talk about too little too late. nt

[treestar]

45. Parliamentary system

Our problem is state vs. federal issues and states with low populations having 2 Senators just like huge states.

[canetoad]

8. Aldi is pretty big here in Oz

And Aldi shoppers were already used to carrying their own bags. I think this made the change from the big chains easier to deal with - we were already used to keeping our shopping bags in the boot of the car.

[CottonBear]

10. We just got a new Aldi in my Southern US town.

I have converted to the bring your own bags mode. In the event that I forget my bag, I grab a empty Aldi cardboard product box.

[Hortensis]

12. Ah. That would definitely help make the transition

relatively painless. You're probably well supplied with coins for carts down there too, something I'm liable to be caught out without.

I think if our entire nation suddenly banned plastic at once, though, most people would just deal with it (even if noisily), although no doubt a few would still be tossing loose items from their carts into their cars 6 weeks on.

Not exactly an emergency survival situation, though checkout clerks might have a mighty struggle to keep their cool.

[canetoad]

15. Haven't used a trolley for years

I have a purple shopping jeep! I think the big chains are doing away with the coin system too - at least in my small town they are. I'm all in favour of them paying people to round up the trolleys.

One of my pet projects is to pick up tiny bits of plastic on the beach and usually come home with a pocketful each day. My beaches are pretty deserted and wild so there's not much trash generally but we have whales, seals and penguins and it's the little pieces that affect them.

[Hortensis]

17. That sounds so nice. Those little bits are killers.

Lol, had to look up trolleys and shopping jeeps, but got it. I saw several cute purple ones.

The big chains around here don't use the coin system for the big boring metal shopping carts, but the jobs of rounding them up may not be with us all that much longer anyway. From talk, for those who still want to shop supermarkets themselves, the direction seems to be toward "grab and go" shopping with "smart carts" that apparently replace everyone but the shopper. And about now I'm wondering if we'll always be necessary. Like virtual currency, perhaps virtual consumption is coming.

[canetoad]

19. Sorry about the Aussie vernacular

I hate that we are becoming divorced from the very essence of our existence; things such as shopping seasonally, buying in small quantities to reduce waste (when appropriate), being aware of how our everyday actions have a bigger impact.

Don't think I ever do what's called, 'a big shop' - one that required a *trolley. Much less having a 'smart' fridge or pantry that uses algorithms to present me with a shopping list. How in hell would an algorithm know what I fancy tonight?

Don't get me wrong - I love technology, semi-retired I still build the odd database or do graphic presentations for architects, but am very aware of its limitations and place in life.

My small but tight group of friends joke about being 'post consumerist' - because we don't have the money to be true consumerists! We must always remember that those algorithms are written by folk who work for the huge companies and they have a vested interest in becoming abominably wealthy.

Cheers, Hortensis; you are a real star in DU's firmament.

[Hortensis]

23. :) Same here in all respects, including the last. Thoughtful,

liberal-minded people aren't quite as rare here in semirural Georgia as the Sichuan peppercorns I had to order on line but certainly not as within reach as here.

I envy you for shopping frequently. Sounds as if your area is very nice for a lot of reasons. Our supermarkets are a function of our suburban sprawl, but I have to drive "in" a ways even to reach those. Also, global warming has been hitting gardening of all types hard in many states.
Around here, the produce local folk used to bring from their own gardens to a farmers market fairly nearby is mostly gone, leaving the trucked-in produce of big growers.

Post-consumerist is right! In retirement we don't have the means for today's nice retail, but I think a lot of people also just get tired of it. Here in the states so much nice stuff tragically will never have a chance to become vintage after it goes out of style or shows some wear, even though quality and design are often far better than in the past. For a long time now I've been seeing most new items in stores as in a "pre-landfill" stage of a brief existence. We have a pair of good, well-to-do -- and stylish -- friends who enjoy "finding" clothes in second-hand thrift shops because rescuing items for almost nothing has become so much more satisfying than retail.

[canetoad]

25. It makes a difference, living in a small town

I moved from Melbourne to a small town 150kms SE, around 8 years ago. Economic reasons - just couldn't affort the city any longer. Best move I ever made, wish I'd done it earlier.

It gave me a new appreciation of many small things in life that are beautiful, essential but mostly forgotten by busy people. Never really enjoyed travelling, so I resolved to become an expert on local things. It's really all about the macro and micro - cosms. Think globally, act locally.

[Hortensis]

47. We purchased a little winter vacation mobile home on an

estuary in Florida, with tons of amenities in walking and biking distances and between two cities, thinking it'd be nice to downsize to, but sea level rise is happening faster and worse than we hoped. That superhurricane that covered all Florida last year left it completely untouched, scooped up trillions of tons of water from the bay and dropped it elsewhere, instead of right there as the 9' tsunami we expected to wipe our nice little cooperatively owned park out. We're raising the seawalls a bit, but not for the long term. Some developer will finally get it eventually.

New plan needed, but it'll also be a version of yours.

[jpak]

11. First Assault Weapons - now...plastic bags

This is how it's done.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

16. I'm in Santa Fe and it's been at least five

years since you got free bags in stores here. I have a whole lot of bags in my car and I have no trouble remembering them whenever I head into a store.

[Bayard]

27. I picked up a few things at a local store on Saturday

The cashier put each item in a separate bag--6 bags. I said, all this will fit in one bag, please do that, she became completely confused.

I have never seen anyone bring in their own bags here in small town Kentucky. They would probably be viewed very suspiciously, although I'm thinking of trying it. The Amish stores especially, won't even let you bring a large purse in.

How many bags to hold $150 worth of groceries?

[aikoaiko]

30. 6

[UniteFightBack]

35. As soon as stores start charging for plastic bags our use will go down. nt

[maxsolomon]

36. "But America is different"

No, it is not.

Yesterday I went to get a burger after a hike at a bar and grill OUTSIDE Seattle. Glass of water? Giant 10" plastic straw. A coke? Giant 10" plastic straw.

Do I need a straw? Am I 5?

[FakeNoose]

38. I'll admit that I'm one of those who fails to plan ahead

I've purchased countless canvas tote bags and reusable grocery-store-type bags over the years. I really have supported the effort, but I'm always forgetting to bring them with me when I go shopping. Before I retired I'd usually do my shopping on my way home from work, with little forethought. Now that I'm retired, I have no excuse.

I have to use my tote bags for the purpose they are intended, and swear off plastic bags starting today.

[fluffster]

39. When I forget my bags (I usually do), I put everything back in the cart.

In the parking lot I take them out of the cart and toss them lose in the car. Then bag or box them when I get home.

[FakeNoose]

40. OK that works for a quick trip

I wouldn't want to do that when I go for weekly shopping though. I just need to train myself to remember the tote bags, and use them when I bring them.

[treestar]

46. Impressive

Their Deplorables can't drag them down. No Electoral College or Senate with disproportionate representation.