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Vancouver Grocery Store Is Giving Out Embarrassing Plastic Bags To Remind Customers To Bring A Reusable
“Canadians know first-hand the impacts of plastic pollution and are tired of seeing their beaches, parks, streets, and shorelines littered with plastic waste. We have a responsibility to work with our partners to reduce plastic pollution, protect the environment, and create jobs and grow our economy. We owe it to our kids to keep the environment clean and safe for generations to come.”
This quote, from Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, came from the announcement that Canada will seek to ban harmful single-use plastics as early as 2021, joining countries like Bangladesh, Kenya, and Rwanda in taking a strong stance against plastic pollution.
Vancouver grocery store East West Market is already preparing its customers for life after plastic bags by creatively shaming those who come in without a reusable shopping bag. Who wants to be seen walking around town carrying around one of these babies?
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David Lee Kwen, the shop’s owner, insisted that the plan wasn’t to embarrass customers with these shopping bags. “We wanted to give them something humorous, but also something that made them think at the same time,” he told the Guardian. “It’s human nature not to want to be told what to do.”
“So many people own reusable bags but forget to bring them. We want to help customers remember their reusable bags in a way that will really stick with them.”
While warts and colon care is nothing to be ashamed of, David has a good point about the way messages about being environmentally-conscious are conveyed. People really don’t like to be told what to do and some well-meaning messages can come across as elitist and sanctimonious, particularly to those who have less of a choice. A pinch of humor goes a long way and that’s exactly what this initiative provides.
The scale of the problem with plastic waste is immense; it is estimated that one garbage truckload of plastic waste enters the ocean every minute, and that amount is increasing steadily. Companies produce an estimated 5 trillion plastic bags a year. Each one can take more than 1,000 years to decompose, and few are recycled.
127 countries have so far taken some kind of legal action to regulate plastic bags, ranging from a strict ban in Kenya to progressive action on single-use plastics in India. These are positive steps, but there is still a long way to go before we are anywhere near the kind of long-term change in attitudes and business practices that is needed globally.
Maybe a little additional public shaming is just the kind of kick in the butt that we all need to ditch the plastic bags for good?
Either way, East-West Market’s clever design idea taking on spreading the message has been successful in that people are talking and thinking more about the ways that they consume plastic. According to the Canadian government, about one-third of the plastics used in Canada are for single-use or short-lived products and packaging. Up to 15 billion plastic bags are used every year and close to 57 million straws are used daily. This is just insane! The sooner that people get the message that things must change and change now, the better.
What do you think? Is this kind of humorous ‘shaming’ a good way to get the message across? What is your country trying to do about plastic waste? Do you make a conscious effort to reduce your use of plastic bags? Let us know what you think in the comments!
You can watch the video here
Here’s what people had to say about the clever initiative
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What do you think ?
Tiny Dynamine 6 years ago
All they need to do is make a sign which says they won't provide plastic bags after another month.
Load More Replies...
Gilda 6 years ago
Lmao we are going to save the planet by manufacturing bags that no one will use and then they will be tossed in a landfill
Lucas 6 years ago
Yep... not helping the problem if the bags are made in the first place.
Load More Replies...
Natasha Forchione 6 years ago
First of all, when a plastic bag is in use, you do not see what is says clearly most of the time. The lettering can overlap or become distorted. Secondly, nobody cares!! I have never stopped to look at what someone bags says unless I am standing in line behind them. We only use bags to get them into our car or house. We do not carry them all day, but nice try!
tuzdayschild 6 years ago
Um...though I love the idea...you know people can just flip them inside out.
Gerald Jarick 6 years ago
I want the whole collection! Great bags! If I travel to Vancouver, I will visit this shop to have some of them! Is it possible to buy them by mail?
Ishi Ishi 6 years ago
You have to use the average reusable grocery bag over 350 tines to match the carbon footprint of using the thin plastic bags during the same time. It seems like most reusable bags don't get used this much which means they're worse for the environment. I use cotton canvas bags that are 20+ years old. Buying new shiny reusable grocery bags is not a solution!
Peko 6 years ago
The figure I heard was about 15 000 times, assuming that the plastic bags then gets used as trash bags and burned.
Load More Replies... María Hermida 6 years ago
I would like to know if this supermarket has also changed the packaging of the products they sell, and demand recyclable cardboard, paper, refillable bottles, etc from their suppliers. Also if they sell ethically produced food, such as fair trade sugar or coffee, free range eggs and chicken, local fruit and vegetables... If they continue selling the same products as before, the whole story about the plastic bags is no more than a hypocritical nonsense. As usual. What's the point in taking your own bag if absolutely everything you buy is wrapped in plastic, or comes in some kind of plastic container? We need to stop using all kinds of plastic NOW, not only grocery bags.
Amina Hays 6 years ago
So their solution to reducing plastic waste is to create plastic bags they're hoping nobody will use? Way to help the environment.
Kari Panda 6 years ago
Honestly, I do not care whether people want to be told what to do or not. It’s our PLANET that is at stake. Ban plastic bags, period. You‘ll receive some harsh complaints for a few months from angry customers, but after that people will simply have gotten used to it. (And I do speak from own experience because the library where I‘m working banned plastic bags about two years ago. First couple of weeks were hard, but now nobody even mentions it anymore. It IS possible.)
Magpie 6 years ago
My library has been selling cloth bags for years, maybe decades even. Cheap , strong and advertise the library.
Load More Replies...
Dunja Nikitović 6 years ago
Nothing bad or embarassing about colon care! I am glad colon care is promoted, at least that piece of plastic had a purpose.
smerv 6 years ago
In one small market, there was a stand there for a bags you could take and return or bring replacement. There were canvas, paper and plastic bags, all kinds. Nice if you forgot your own. In another store, an old lady keeps making canvas shopping bags as her hobby and leaving them at the entry and I understood you could take one for free. Both really nice ways to avoid a plastic bag if you forgot your own
smerv 6 years ago (edited)
I've been eyeing alll the trashed bags in returnable bottle automat bin. Of course I would't use them but trash bags. Am I the weirdo
Load More Replies...
Hans Nielsen 6 years ago
Great advertising. Stupid idea. People will want them. Store is still passing out the plastic. I see no win here.
JoJo G 6 years ago
When I was a child 40+ years ago, I would fly to Germany (sometimes without my parents) to visit my Oma. She would always have her cloth bags with her when we went to the market. I inherited those bags after she passed away and I now use them when I go to the market. However, I’ve been very disappointed to see how the younger generations, and the Westernization practices, have veered away from those cloth bags over there. Aldi has finally made it to the shores of America (happy dance!) and hopefully the practice of their bag policy will begin to make an effect on American stores. I do know that one of our local grocers has a plan in place to begin phasing out their plastic bags, and I’m thrilled!
Rose the Cook 6 years ago
It is all about the reusable bags on offer. If they are bulky customers are unlikely to keep one in a pocket or handbag. There are cloth bags here that scrunch down so small it is no problem to keep a couple in an average size handbag all the time.
D. Pitbull 6 years ago
Okay... so this backfired on me... I kinda want to get one of each now and hang them in my husband's man-cave. LOL (I'm one of those nerds who carries the Popple-like reusable bag with me anyhow... I don't trust plastic bags not to bust 'n' break on me)
smerv 6 years ago
I think the cost here is now ~25 eurocents per bag, they are mostly thin plastic which are recyclable and/or energy waste. A paper bag costs a bit more, I think. It's been discussed that one plastic bag should cost 50¢. I don't think it would really matter to those who keep buying them
Load More Replies...
Michael Bradford 6 years ago
Why not just stop shopping there? They can KMA before I'd consider spending a dime in the dump.
Tiffany Marie 6 years ago
I love the adult video bag!! Freaking awesome!! Charge people $2 a bag, they'll stop buying them :)
Paul Dixon 6 years ago
Oh I see. But if someone generally needs a bag and they take one of those they quickly become a single use plastic... if I need a plastic bag I will reuse them. Why not just stop having plastic bags or only sell bags made from recycled plastic or only sell reusable bags.
Michelle Westbrook 6 years ago
Like this isn't going to end up some novelty where people go to that store literally just for the friggin bag. Good marketing that's for sure
William Morales 6 years ago
The truth is no major chain will do this in the u.s. unless they are forced to.
Leodavinci 6 years ago
The first time a commercial establishment did this to me would be the last time I shopped there.
Taryn Wallace 6 years ago
Isn't it more expensive for them to get "novelty" bags printed up.... and what about all the extra ink and what not that is used to make these.... it seems like a waste of resources and time and money instead of just not providing bags of it's that big a deal to the company????
Lucas 6 years ago
But they still made plastic bags that still damage the environment. A customer not taking one doesn't help at all. All they have to do is tell customers they aren't using them anymore. Seems like an idea likely to get publicity but without upsetting customers who will still use the bags (inside out).
Load More Replies...
Kjorn 6 years ago
yeah… and when you forgot your reusable bag? you buy another one? i have so many réusable bag. i Don't need to get force to use it! i prefer the reusable bag because they are stronger but i Don't need to get force it
Foxxy 6 years ago
What would be better is companies ordering the yukka bags and other environmentally friendly ones. Even though where I live single plastic bags are banned, there still is a lot of plastic bags that say are reusable but the handles break so can’t always be reused. At least the shops have special recycling bins for those bags.
Catlady6000 6 years ago
I reuse all the time, usually as garbage and doggy do bags. Still winds up in the landfill tho:(
Load More Replies... Tiny Dynamine 6 years ago
All they need to do is make a sign which says they won't provide plastic bags after another month.
Load More Replies... Gilda 6 years ago
Lmao we are going to save the planet by manufacturing bags that no one will use and then they will be tossed in a landfill
Lucas 6 years ago
Yep... not helping the problem if the bags are made in the first place.
Load More Replies... Natasha Forchione 6 years ago
First of all, when a plastic bag is in use, you do not see what is says clearly most of the time. The lettering can overlap or become distorted. Secondly, nobody cares!! I have never stopped to look at what someone bags says unless I am standing in line behind them. We only use bags to get them into our car or house. We do not carry them all day, but nice try!
tuzdayschild 6 years ago
Um...though I love the idea...you know people can just flip them inside out.
Gerald Jarick 6 years ago
I want the whole collection! Great bags! If I travel to Vancouver, I will visit this shop to have some of them! Is it possible to buy them by mail?
Ishi Ishi 6 years ago
You have to use the average reusable grocery bag over 350 tines to match the carbon footprint of using the thin plastic bags during the same time. It seems like most reusable bags don't get used this much which means they're worse for the environment. I use cotton canvas bags that are 20+ years old. Buying new shiny reusable grocery bags is not a solution!
Peko 6 years ago
The figure I heard was about 15 000 times, assuming that the plastic bags then gets used as trash bags and burned.
Load More Replies... María Hermida 6 years ago
I would like to know if this supermarket has also changed the packaging of the products they sell, and demand recyclable cardboard, paper, refillable bottles, etc from their suppliers. Also if they sell ethically produced food, such as fair trade sugar or coffee, free range eggs and chicken, local fruit and vegetables... If they continue selling the same products as before, the whole story about the plastic bags is no more than a hypocritical nonsense. As usual. What's the point in taking your own bag if absolutely everything you buy is wrapped in plastic, or comes in some kind of plastic container? We need to stop using all kinds of plastic NOW, not only grocery bags.
Amina Hays 6 years ago
So their solution to reducing plastic waste is to create plastic bags they're hoping nobody will use? Way to help the environment.
Kari Panda 6 years ago
Honestly, I do not care whether people want to be told what to do or not. It’s our PLANET that is at stake. Ban plastic bags, period. You‘ll receive some harsh complaints for a few months from angry customers, but after that people will simply have gotten used to it. (And I do speak from own experience because the library where I‘m working banned plastic bags about two years ago. First couple of weeks were hard, but now nobody even mentions it anymore. It IS possible.)
Magpie 6 years ago
My library has been selling cloth bags for years, maybe decades even. Cheap , strong and advertise the library.
Load More Replies... Dunja Nikitović 6 years ago
Nothing bad or embarassing about colon care! I am glad colon care is promoted, at least that piece of plastic had a purpose.
smerv 6 years ago
In one small market, there was a stand there for a bags you could take and return or bring replacement. There were canvas, paper and plastic bags, all kinds. Nice if you forgot your own. In another store, an old lady keeps making canvas shopping bags as her hobby and leaving them at the entry and I understood you could take one for free. Both really nice ways to avoid a plastic bag if you forgot your own
smerv 6 years ago (edited)
I've been eyeing alll the trashed bags in returnable bottle automat bin. Of course I would't use them but trash bags. Am I the weirdo
Load More Replies... Hans Nielsen 6 years ago
Great advertising. Stupid idea. People will want them. Store is still passing out the plastic. I see no win here.
JoJo G 6 years ago
When I was a child 40+ years ago, I would fly to Germany (sometimes without my parents) to visit my Oma. She would always have her cloth bags with her when we went to the market. I inherited those bags after she passed away and I now use them when I go to the market. However, I’ve been very disappointed to see how the younger generations, and the Westernization practices, have veered away from those cloth bags over there. Aldi has finally made it to the shores of America (happy dance!) and hopefully the practice of their bag policy will begin to make an effect on American stores. I do know that one of our local grocers has a plan in place to begin phasing out their plastic bags, and I’m thrilled!
Rose the Cook 6 years ago
It is all about the reusable bags on offer. If they are bulky customers are unlikely to keep one in a pocket or handbag. There are cloth bags here that scrunch down so small it is no problem to keep a couple in an average size handbag all the time.
D. Pitbull 6 years ago
Okay... so this backfired on me... I kinda want to get one of each now and hang them in my husband's man-cave. LOL (I'm one of those nerds who carries the Popple-like reusable bag with me anyhow... I don't trust plastic bags not to bust 'n' break on me)
smerv 6 years ago
I think the cost here is now ~25 eurocents per bag, they are mostly thin plastic which are recyclable and/or energy waste. A paper bag costs a bit more, I think. It's been discussed that one plastic bag should cost 50¢. I don't think it would really matter to those who keep buying them
Load More Replies... Michael Bradford 6 years ago
Why not just stop shopping there? They can KMA before I'd consider spending a dime in the dump.
Tiffany Marie 6 years ago
I love the adult video bag!! Freaking awesome!! Charge people $2 a bag, they'll stop buying them :)
Paul Dixon 6 years ago
Oh I see. But if someone generally needs a bag and they take one of those they quickly become a single use plastic... if I need a plastic bag I will reuse them. Why not just stop having plastic bags or only sell bags made from recycled plastic or only sell reusable bags.
Michelle Westbrook 6 years ago
Like this isn't going to end up some novelty where people go to that store literally just for the friggin bag. Good marketing that's for sure
William Morales 6 years ago
The truth is no major chain will do this in the u.s. unless they are forced to.
Leodavinci 6 years ago
The first time a commercial establishment did this to me would be the last time I shopped there.
Taryn Wallace 6 years ago
Isn't it more expensive for them to get "novelty" bags printed up.... and what about all the extra ink and what not that is used to make these.... it seems like a waste of resources and time and money instead of just not providing bags of it's that big a deal to the company????
Lucas 6 years ago
But they still made plastic bags that still damage the environment. A customer not taking one doesn't help at all. All they have to do is tell customers they aren't using them anymore. Seems like an idea likely to get publicity but without upsetting customers who will still use the bags (inside out).
Load More Replies... Kjorn 6 years ago
yeah… and when you forgot your reusable bag? you buy another one? i have so many réusable bag. i Don't need to get force to use it! i prefer the reusable bag because they are stronger but i Don't need to get force it
Foxxy 6 years ago
What would be better is companies ordering the yukka bags and other environmentally friendly ones. Even though where I live single plastic bags are banned, there still is a lot of plastic bags that say are reusable but the handles break so can’t always be reused. At least the shops have special recycling bins for those bags.
Catlady6000 6 years ago
I reuse all the time, usually as garbage and doggy do bags. Still winds up in the landfill tho:(
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