Bag lady, non-disposible

I can, truth be told, be a bag on occasion, but do endeavour to keep those moment to a minimum. It's not the nicest side of my personality but sometimes the bagginess just shines through. So I've been practicing NOT being a disposable bag lady.  Since October last year I've not entered into any agreement with any shop keeper to take a carrier bag for my wares. I know the new 'carrier bag tax' in Scotland was under discussion and its got its approval today. 

Now many of us might just think - oh its just a bag, but when you add them up (whether you reuse them or not) went through a hefty 8 BILLION single use bags in 2011. In 2014 in Europe it was suggested that we as a collective get through 100 BILLION carrier bags each year and most of these end up in the stomachs of our wildlife. So not cool.  And, surprisingly we're on the up in consuming them, are we really, on the whole, this stupid. It would seem so.

Despite being given the 'carrot' approach of extra points on cards for bag reuse, our consumption of them is still (rather remarkably) on the up. So its time for the stick. 

The most successful policies for reducing plastic bag use in many nations, including many of our local neighbours like Wales and Ireland has been a tax levy on bags. At 5p a bag now to go to local causes from most major retailers from October 2014 lets hope we finally start to actually reduce our use of them.

Ok its easy to forget to take a bag. But you can just say no. You do have arms. A trolley/basket or a box. OR ARMS.

OK I've been leaving shops on occassion with my arms full to bursting in my stubborn 'No I don't want a bag, I've given them up' approach - my problem not the peedie creatures that eat these things thinking they're grub. And, they often get wrapped about trees. Not bonnie.

My arms ache, big deal. At least I'm not causing wee creatures to die and trees/roadsides to be smothered with stuff we just don't need. 

Its really not worth killing something over now is it. Only humans can end up polluting even the deepest waters on the planet with carrier bags found 2500m deep oceans. Go humans eh?

Give up the bags, you know you want to and you purse will thank you in October 2014 when you don't end up paying 5p/bag.

Simples.

Over 6 months in my life without a bag and whilst its hard, (especially when retailers appear to want to foist them on  you), I've managed.

Do I remember to take a shopping bag with me more now, probably.

Do I always remember to take one, no.

Why not get yourself ready to ditch the plastic bag too? And encourage your chums.

It really makes no sense to take them when there are so many alternatives around.

And this is my lovely new orlney shopping basket, FULL of goodbye cheese and goodies. Back off people that's all mine!

So A bit of a change of tact today, can't be writing about me knickers everyday after all.