No Plastic Bags?

As a self-confessed shopaholic, I was once guilty of not using recyclable bags. Whenever I walked into posh departmental stores, hypermarkets or grocery shops, I didn’t think twice about accepting my purchases in a plastic bag.

After years of collecting plastic bags with brand names emblazoned across them in a drawer which can’t be closed because of its contents, now I actually use a recyclable bag. The reason for my turning over a new leaf was a back-breaking grocery trip with my family recently.

I was caught the first Saturday when the Selangor government implemented the ‘No Plastic Bag Day’ in January 2010. When we were at a hypermarket, we realised that all the shoppers who had paid left with their purchases in their trolleys, all arranged haphazardly.

It was only when we reached the checkout counter that the cashier told us that they were not supposed to give out plastic bags unless customers paid 20 sen a bag!

We decided to get one of those plastic bags that they claim can be exchanged for a new one once the old one gave out, without any limit, for just 99 sen. Ever the shopaholic, I thought the bag displayed near the cashier was a great buy.

But it was still a plastic bag, and started to show signs of giving way after being filled with a few items. So we decided to leave the bulkier items in the trolley, just in case it broke. Later, we had a ‘fun’ experience transferring all the items one by one into the car boot.

After that incident, I vowed to get a few recyclable bags which I keep in my bag and car, just in case I have the sudden urge to go shopping.

Did you know that all the money from the sale of plastic bags is donated to the state Hardcore Poverty Programme in Penang? Meanwhile, Carrefour and IKEA customers who chose to pay for plastic bags should be glad to hear that the money would be channelled to the Malaysian Nature Society (MNS).

But if you prefer to use recyclable bags instead, Tesco has a programme that rewards their customers with Tesco Green Clubcard points each time they use their own bags or the Tesco reusable bags available at all Tesco stores. The points are then converted into Clubcard Cash Vouchers that can be used to offset the cost of purchases made at any Tesco and Tesco Extra stores.

So, what are you waiting for, get a recyclable bag for more savings while saving Mother Nature at the same time!

Head over to the Fight For Future website to check out the latest issues on the environment and learn how we can all help to fight for the future of our planet.