A bag for 25 minutes – if that

Writing for Birmingham Recycled has me constantly on the look-out for environmental issues which occur during my day-to-day life and I recently realised that I have been facing one on a weekly basis for the last few months!

I am referring to Asda’s bag for life scheme. The superstore is no longer providing the regular carrier bags but, instead, forces shoppers to spend 5 pence a pop on a bag which is supposedly more lasting and reusable. This would be a great way of encouraging customers to look after the environment if Asda provided some, misleadingly named, ‘bags for life’ which actually lasted longer than my 25 minute walk home.

The bottom of each bag sags worryingly for most of my journey and when I reach my destination without having lost any of my shopping to a bag casualty I am always relieved. However the weakness of the bags leaves me far too nervous to reuse them and I always end up buying at least another two bags every time I shop.

If Asda could offer a sturdier option this would solve the problem as I feel a pang of guilt both for my bank account and for the environment every time I purchase yet another one of these bags. For now, the pile of bags in the corner of my room is set to grow and grow until Asda comes up with decent way to cut down on their, and my, carbon footprint.

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