France bans plastic bags

[greenbean]

http://www.prw.com/main/newsdetails.asp?id=4675

[Muddypause]

"The French Assembly has unanimously voted through legislation banning the sale and distribution of all plastic bags and plastics packaging from 2010, unless they are biodegradable."

It's so obvious, isn't it? In fact why does it even need legislation to make this happen - why don't plastics manufacturers do it as a matter of course? Why don't supermarkets lead the way by demanding this as the only option for their normal packaging?

In some ways it's rather depressing that it has to be done by legislation, but hopefully the rest of the world will follow this lead.

[greenbean]

Muddypause, I know, and I agree with you. But as always it will have to be the consumer that makes the stand and forces the retailers to change. I love the co-op and somerfield in the uk who have aleady made their bags biodegradable. Any change towards recognising our impact on the evironment is good. Viva la france!

[Lyds]

Jolly good show! Now its our turn........

[ina]

It's another step forward - but I believe even biodegradable bags can cause a lot of damage, while they are blown about (before degrading), picked up by birds and eaten... Too many seabirds die that way.

I still believe consumer education is the most important thing. A very good friend of mine is one of those who simply won't do without a bag, even if she just buys a sandwich (highly packaged in itself) to carry to the car where she is going to eat it straightaway. Have given up talking to her about it, I just try to show her that it can be done differently. And maybe she'll get one of my clothbags for Christmas.

Ina

[Millymollymandy]

I know how you feel - I feel like a one man band for daring to bring up the subject of not buying the really cheapo chickens because of the dreadful treatment they get, on a Brittany forum I go on. I got castigated for it. But hey, I tried! At least I can escape here and other similar forums full of like-minded people. Thank God!

As far as plastic bags in France go, right now you rarely see a plastic bag unless it is biodegradable - at least in supermarkets and garden centres. BUT there is still so much packaging of 'stuff' it's untrue.

[shiney]

Well good for the French banning plakky bags. It is frightening just how much plastic we use. I recycle my plastic and I still have a huge pile every week! (Milk cartons mainly, oh and yogurt ones) I consider myself a low user of plastic, but after seeing my pile....it's a bit of a worry!