One of the biggest wastes in our society is our addiction to single use disposable items. How can we get people to bring their own cups when they get their coffee/juice? How do we get people to bring their own bags when they go to the store? How to we get people to bring their own tupperware for leftovers when they go out?
2007-10-05 21:22:59 · 9 answers · asked by G 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
Well, here in Australia we had a huge advertising campaign about how bad plastic bags were for the environment, and all the politicians, movie stars, etc etc all jumped on the bandwagon.
At the same tim the supermarkets started selling these excellent, very cheap green non-woven fibre bags that can be re-used (they are now available in other colours too).
And of course, if you had a green bag at the supermarket it was 'good on you' and if you didn't, everyone would act like you had a disease and the checkout girl would say 'Would you like to by an environment friendly bag, they are only 99 cents' so you would look like a big cheapskate if you didn't buy one.
Plus, the supermarkets stopped giving away plastic bags if you bought less than three or five items.
So, with that combination, most people started using the re-usable bags.
But despite that huge effort and the fact that it worked for a few years, people have slipped back now and I see a lot of people using the plastic bags and no comment is made.
The thing is, you have to really change how people think long term, and so you have to keep the pressure on.
But in the meanwhile, you can do it yourself. If enough individuals do it, that makes a majority.
And who knows, someone might say 'why do you bring your cup' and when you explain it's an environmental friendly thing to do, the person might think 'wow, I never thought of it'. Stuff like that does catch on!
Best wishes :-)
2007-10-05 22:14:58 · answer #1 · answered by thing55000 6 · 7⤊ 0⤋
Stop giving it to them.
I've actually seen a lot of people bring their own canvas grocery bags to the grocery store.
People at work often have their own coffe cups when going to the coffee maker.
I have yet to see the tupperware for leftovers though. Maybe its comming.
Now we just have to get some Q-tips and dental floss that will last us a life time....
2007-10-05 21:32:53 · answer #2 · answered by Otis K 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it's a great idea and I wish more people did that. If I were you, I would always bring your own cup and ask to speak to a manager if they don't let you fill up your cup. SECONDED!
2016-04-07 06:55:51 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just change the policy on it.
When I worked at a paper company, they had free coffee for the workers, but you had to bring your own cup.
Some of our grocery stores are encouraging people to bring bags to use again by giving 5 cents off per bag.
I think if people knew it was required and had no other option, they would bring their own.
2007-10-06 01:53:57 · answer #4 · answered by Breezey is saying HAPPY BIRTHDAY 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well shops should minimize the disposable items in the shops. Whoever you are trying to stop, u cud ask them not 2 use disposle items. Or sell the disposable items at a higher price and the tupperwre items at a discounted rate...
2007-10-06 00:23:02 · answer #5 · answered by Here i am... 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Making it easy and acceptable for people to do these things is important. I've seen supermarkets giving away "bags for life" which helps. But people need to get into the habit of remembering to take the reusable bags. I've seen many workplaces, including my own, positively encourage people to bring in their own cups and supply spares. So I think its a two-way deal. The public need to get into new habits and remember to take things. In the same way you wouldn't go out in the middle of winter without your coat, when you go to the supermarket you wouldn't go out without your reusable bag. And the companies that supply services and employ people need to give a little positive encouragement, using freebies and low-priced incentives, and changing their own practices.
2007-10-05 22:01:02 · answer #6 · answered by aliantha2004 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
By giving a discount. The majority of consumers are looking for deals. I have 2 different coffee mugs that I use, one I paid $6.00 for, but I get free coffee with my meal the other is for a convienent store , but it's stays at .49 cents. This gets me into their store. I get cheap coffee and I don't have to buy anything else, but they do this hoping I will.
2007-10-05 21:40:00 · answer #7 · answered by randycur0962 1 · 5⤊ 0⤋
Very good point. At work, we have a mug rack and everyone has their own hook for their mug. You bring up an excellent suggestion about bringing our own plastic ware to restaurants---in this day of super-sizing everything! I wonder how many million years it takes plastic and/or Styrofoam to break down? Great question!
2007-10-06 00:52:47 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Ask and yee shall get.
2007-10-05 22:24:05 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋