Selfsufficientish.com

Look under Zero Waste Packaging, I mention shopping trips there. Under ZWP2 which I have still to complete I will list shops against produce. When a store changes to include new ZWP items these will be highlighted. ZWP2 will be more positive than the first to encourage improvements, particularly among superstores. I will check it again to make sure there have been no changes to the initial ZWP.

Look under Zero Waste Packaging, where I list contact with the shops. Where the shopping has been a complete success i say Complete ZWP. Shops are named and I give a positive slant to the trades with them. What would you suggest I do?

Costing the Earth (tonight on Radio 4) is about packaging and recycled plastic - should be interesting.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/science/cos ... arth.shtml

Cheers, Ina. I like all media involvement because it raises the profile of the problems for the largely unaware public.

I stand corrected - you do indeed mention local traders, John.

Thanks for that. I appreciate your comments, MKG.

Today while shopping in Gregg's bakers I saw an old lady turn down a plastic bag forced on her by an assistant. She was so frail looking that I ws proud of her. I realise that more and more people are joining in and when it's over we can all say that, in what ever way, we all made a contribution.

Our household has seriously cut down on plastic bags. The bonus of using a pram to go to the shop keeps me more in line/controlled as to what I buy as space is limited in the basket underneath.

One thing I enjoy is the self checkout. I like the idea of scanning the items myself and just getting in/out and no one gets hurt. The only problem with that is the occasional employee who with time on their hands wanders over and attempts to start bagging my items at the end of the conveyor belt while I'm up the other end scanning merrily away.

I'm constantly saying please don't bag it. I'll use the pram only to have a few blank stares passed at me. I also still feel slightly uneasy at times walking out of the shop passed the security guard with a pram full of unbagged produce in full view in my basket. Thankfully, I have nothing to worry about since I'm not a five finger discount type of individual but as much as the shop in adverts seems to promote re-using your own bags, in reality the employees where I shop seem to encourage you to use the plastic ones on hand.

The consumer has to take the initiative as you have done. Well done! Superstores are addicted to plastic and the best hope for them is to design new plastics which are compostable/recyclable. I only buy ZWP items from superstores and have asked for paper bags for bakery items. Local shopping is my preference but that is more expensive and time-consuming.

johnhcrf wrote:There is a tendency to lose your resolve when other "plastic bag lovers" rail on about their convenience. Remember the next landfill site could be in your area. Far better to reduce the landfill impact , eventually to zero.
Then we can reclaim our beautiful countryside, thinking "landfill never again!"

I applaude your thinking but can I humbly ask " is it possible to remove all plastic bags inpackaging etc?? "

I once got threw out of Mr T's for removing the plastic condom that was on a cucumber.... mind you I did stuff it in the managers trousers.......

A good question. When you decide, like me, to do without it your shopping will change forever. I always bring my own bag and only buy ZWP items. It is difficult as plastic stuff is everywhere! If there is no ZWP option I shop elsewhere. I am currently finding ZWP locations for all shopping items to aid good shopping. It can be frustrating but others should do what they can even if compromise is unavoidable. Taking unpackaged fruit/veg is easy but trying to pass lots of loose material through a store check-out can be a problem. Local trader shopping is a lot easier for loose items. Keeping on good terms with staff is important too, though I find most agree with my attitude to waste.

Nambari, I love you! I used my last 2 teabags for my brother's and my breakfast. Where can I buy ZWP teabags? I tried Lidl, Saturday, Aldi, today, all they had was foil bags (in card), or card box in plastic wrap. A local trader shop came to the rescue. I bought the Nambari in hope over expectation, but should have had more faith. I now am the proud owner of 80 ZWP teabags, A good day!

Couldn't you go just a little further and buy loose-leaf tea?

Tea direct and Sainsburys own fair trade come in just a cardboard box... but really John, if you are serious about this you need to make adjustments in you buying habits, like buy loose tea and coffee (places like whittards do it) and a bag of sugar, bag of flour and eggs have no waste either, not like the packaged cakes you seem so fond of.

Like most of the people on here we make very few trips to the shops, and for many reasons we don't buy excessive amounts of packaging... but then we have made the adjustments and just buy raw ingredients.

Good point. My idea is to change current practice in superstores, etc by highlighting ZWP items available today. I shop at Whittards but most people do not. These stores have to change as their landfill waste is horrendous. If you like, I am trail-blazing for ZWP. I enjoy doing it because I can see changes already!