PledgeBank United States
I’ll do it, but only if you’ll help

Pledge “plasticbagban”

"I will stop using plastic carrier bags at the supermarket, and use reusable cloth bags instead but only if 30 other people will do the same."

— Jenny Marlowe, Treehugger (contact)

Deadline to sign up by: 31^st July 2005
54 people signed up (24 over target)

Country: United Kingdom

More details
Plastic can take up to 500 years to degrade in landfill sites. It makes sense to use biodegradable alternatives such as hemp or organic cotton bags.

Comments on this pledge

• Except that for the most part I will be using carrier bags that I've already been given instead, for now. Or would that violate the terms of the pledge?
  Cat W, 4 years ago. Abusive? Report it!
• I will also be re-using carrier bags that I already have, as well as cloth bags, is this ok?
  Angelina, 4 years ago. Abusive? Report it!
• Yes, reusing old carrier bags is better than continually getting new ones each time you go to the supermarket, but at some point the handles are going to break, or the bags will get holes in, and the bags will end up on landfill sites. One way around this (although it involves a bit of time investment), is to cut your existing bags into strips and crochet or knit them into one REALLY strong shopping bag. This should last you a lifetime! Instructions on how to make them are here: http://www.marloscrochetcorner.com/round...
  Or you could plait strips of carrier bags into rugs....http://www.homesteadweaver.com/plasticba...
  Jenny Marlowe, 4 years ago. Abusive? Report it!
• To Jenny Marlowe, Treehugger;
  
  If you think this is such a good idea, why will you do it only if 30 other people do? Why not do it anyway?
  The Weasel Bearder, 4 years ago. Abusive? Report it!
• Its a good reason to use a rather nifty cloth bag I picked up at an ECTS trade show a few years back - it is quite unique and looks cool. Better than a naf blue carrier anyway!
  To The Weasel Barder - You could do it anyway, and she probably was, but it is all the more an effective thing if a few people get together and do it as a group.
  One can make a difference - thirty can make thirty times that!
  Danny Staple, 4 years ago. Abusive? Report it!
• Hi Weasel Barder,
  
  Yes, I already do this, but (as Danny pointed out)isn't the whole point of this website to encourage other people to try and make a difference?
  Jenny, 4 years ago. Abusive? Report it!
• I never use plastic bags, on a recent trip to a developing country I met a guy who makes plastic bags for a few stores here, and according to him he uses counterfeit stamps which endorse that the bag is bio-degradable. Hence, do not believe what is written on the bags, they lie.
  Sal Ahmed, 4 years ago. Abusive? Report it!
• At the moment we re-use bags from supermarkets etc for the most part as refuse bags (for rubbish). If we only used cloth bags, we would never get the carrier bags and have to buy refuse bags. Why would that be better?
  Francis Davey, 4 years ago. Abusive? Report it!
• Jenny (and Danny); In that case, the 'pledge' is meaningless; you're simply *encouraging* others (not that there's anything wrong with that). I thought that the point of this site was "to help people get things done, especially things that require several people", but I'm not looking for fight. Incidentally, if you order on-line from Tesco, they collect your plastic bags and re-use them.
  The Weasel Bearder, 4 years ago. Abusive? Report it!
• You should make it one step better and take your cloth bags somewhere other than the supermarket.
  
  No plastic bags, you eat better food, more cheaply, and stop supermarkets screwing their suppliers ans siphoning local money off into shareholders coffers.
  John, 4 years ago. Abusive? Report it!
• I've got canvas bags and string bags that I bought for just this purpose but I keep forgetting to put them in the car on grocery day! Now, I'll have to, eh?
  Susan, 4 years ago. Abusive? Report it!
• Hm. Does anyone have a good workable tactic to use with those shopkeeper types who don't let you get even two syllables into your 'no bag, please' plea? So far I try, but when your shopping's already deep in there before you've even opened your mouth I generally let it go as it's a bit late.
  
  I find fruit and veg places the worst culprits for this.
  Cat W, 3 years ago. Abusive? Report it!