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To achieve progress there is the need for insightful decision making and timely implementation of positive initiatives. The LCBO is providing a positive role model as its stores will be discontinuing their use of plastic bags in favor of customers bringing their own material bags.
Once supplies of the plastic bags run out -which it already has at some locations- the LCOB will not be offering the bags and will be recommending their customers use eco-friendly material bags instead. The savings will amount to roughly 80 million bags. Other stores such as Loblaws have taken similar steps for the same goal. Not sure if Loblaws will ever completely remove plastic bags but they seem to be promoting the use of material ones a great deal.
This will be a massive savings in oil and energy use and will reduce a massive carbon footprint as there are over 500 billion bags used each year and the average family accumulates roughly 60 bags in only four grocery shopping sessions that is horrible.
Of course the opposition, the Canadian Plastics Industry, is completely against the idea -obviously. President and chief executive, Serge Lavoie, of CPIA stated that this is the government ‘banning’ plastic bags and that starting a ban sends out the wrong message.
What message would that be Serge? A message that portrays that those plastic bags are harmful to the environment through; a) the massive amount of oil and energy required for their production? B) They don’t biodegrade? C) They remain in landfills for forever or worse get blown into wooded areas and bodies of water to pollute further and endanger animals? Seems like a ban would send a message, a well needed one!
The corporate weasel went on to say "You've got to have people changing their own way of doing things, it’s too much to soon." So companies should just wait for people to realize that they should use material bags instead of the plastic alternatives right? This is what you are saying? Obviously he is stating this on the side of plastic as his association stands to loose millions in sales.
But Serge if we look at the average shopper they are still using plastic bags and don’t bother to look into alternatives just like any of the many eco-friendly alternatives we have available to us. These people are creatures of habit. Many will follow along like little sheep down a certain path until the trend is changed for them or at least enough people around them have changed. People learn from example and the LCBO discontinuing plastic bags is an awesome example to be set and should be followed by consumers and stores alike.
We started using material bags several years ago mainly for grocery shopping but quickly used them for all our shopping when required. Places like MEC we just take the receipt and save the bag as we can carry the items the 100 feet or so to the car. When doing so MEC also gives us a few cents back for not using a new bag. It isn’t a huge savings on your bill but at least some companies see the need for this change.
So I hope that you will all -if you are not already- go out and pick up some material bags, Loblaws has them for a couple bucks or less. Or if you don’t want to spend money on them in the mean time find some old bags around the house just try not to use plastic bags as much as possible. A great website to check out on this subject is http://www.reusablebags.com/. The site is filled with depressing facts, positive initiatives, such as the LCBO, and other information and product alternatives.
Good job LCBO your products have been wonderful over the years and might I say they get better with age, oh and good job on the no plastic bags as well.
3 comments:
What about the fact that paper bags use twice to three times as much energy to produce and transport as plastic?
‘Alfredo’ paper is worse then plastic as its use of man power, timber, and water during production are extremely high. Add to that the far greater amount of trucks required to transport paper (7) vs. plastic(1). And finally the amount of water required to recycle or break down paper -which is used for all waste. But plastic bags are still not a better option for many reasons that I have already outlined.
A side note on transport is that if we could get out of the frame of mind of “next day service” we could go back to shipping things on the vast rail system that we have and don’t use. This would reduce a HUGE carbon footprint. Honestly does your Ebay order have to be here in 1 to 3 days or even a week for that matter? Unless it is for a medical transplant then the answer is NO!
We can always make a case that “well although ‘x’ is bad it is still better then ‘y’.” This ideology has been accepted by the masses and has to be change.” Often we justify our actions or usage of a product by comparing it to an alternative that is or is perceived to be worse in terms of environmental, health or ethical standards. It is only by comparison that we diminish any negativity associated with our choice and convince ourselves that what we are doing or using is a good option.
Although it may be a better option, it may not be the optimal option, or it may come with a new set of environmental, health or ethical concerns which are not comparable. For instance coke vs diet coke, one has sugar and one has aspartame, both offer poor health benefits but in a different manner. But you do not have to choose between one or the other you can also choose not to drink either.
It is the same with “paper or plastic?” use neither as that is less paper or plastic bags used. And do not use the thought process of “well the bag is already produced so what’s the difference.” That is simply an idiotic line of thinking as the less we use the less will have to be produced and the less will have to be sent to the landfill or recycling plant, and hopefully as we go, they will discontinue the use of paper as well.
Finally my major point is still that it is rather amazing that the government (LCBO) has decided to stop purchasing plastic bags for their retail stores as it is a great step forward. The other point was to use material bags no matter what. They are far stronger then plastic or paper are more convenient and will last you many, many consuming years to come.
So next time you’re asked; paper or plastic? You can proudly answer “neither thanks, I have my own material bag.”
Remember, we are living in a material world and forts is a ma-ma-material girl. Or guy in this case.
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