Taste the Seasons - Sainsbury's bag campaign

We recently discovered an interesting bag campaign from Sainsbury's grocery stores in the U.K. - Taste the Seasons. The idea is, you purchase these reusable bags, printed with the names of foods that are in season locally at different times of the year. It encourages both the use of reusable bags and a healthy, seasonal and local diet.

On one hand, this is a really cool idea for a reusable bag, very cute and fashionable. But we wonder if it's encouraging people to buy a bunch of small, cute bags rather than encouraging them to cut consumption by purchasing a small selection of well-made bags they'll actually use for years.

Is it a respectable effort toward cutting back on plastic bag waste and encouraging healthy habits or just green washing? What do you think?

Comments

[Paul Dulaney]

That is an interesting question for you guys to be asking, because a similar question could be raised about your own business model. But I will say, yes, what Sainsbury is doing is good. At this point in the game it is still important to encourage everyone to be reusing, and for that to come close to happening the general sense in the community must be that it is cool to do so. Since these bags foster better attitudes toward reuse they are good.

[AJ]

I think that a variety of sizes in bags is really helpful. I bought some really large bags for hauling sports equipment, medium bags for groceries and a smaller bag that I use to carry eggs and light weight stuff. That way I'm not driving the checker crazy trying to keep up with where my eggs are. I throw all the other bags on the conveyor belt and hand the clerk the small one letting them know it's for eggs and small stuff. It's also great for apples and produce that I am trying to keep from getting bruised. Lastly, I like the small bags for quick trips to the drugstore and bakery. You don't really need a grocery sized bag all the time.

[nikki]

I don't see the problem... How is this wasteful? I frequently need more than one bag for my family's groceries.

[beck]

Depends on what quality the bags are. High quality bags are so useful for tons of stuff. But if they're that cheapy stuff, forget it. ACME workhorse all the way.

[Amy]

Anything that makes people want to reuse something, in my opinion, is a step in the right direction!

[Heather Barber from UK]

In the UK, the main supermarkets sell 'Bags for Life'. You buy as many bags as you need, you get loyalty points for using them, and as the bags wear out, the shop replaces them for free. Sainsburys have removed their free thin bags from the tills, and if you want one you have to ask for it. I would guess that most people have about 10 bags that they reuse regularly, maybe replacing them every couple of years.

[Daphne]

At a certain point there is saturation especially for the new trendy items. Stores encourage consumers to buy bags that are fashionable and will be used a few times and then forgotten.

A better purchase would be to buy one or several sturdy reusable bags for a variety of uses - other than just groceries. Buying these bags will not help people cut back on waste. This encourages people to spend more and not make smart purchases.

[Obliterate Waste Now]

Any reusable bag with a cute or clever design might encourage people to buy "too many" bags. I think it would be hard to have too many reusable bags. If you had more than enough for one person, they make great gifts or gift wrapping, there are plenty of people you can give excess bags too (unlike plastic bags). Plus, even if these bags aren't the most sturdy or durable, they are doing double duty by encouraging local, in season purchases. I wish I had thought of it! Boring bags are not the solution.

[nan R.]

I can see where you are going with these re-usable grocery bags and what nots. There are some great ones out there like this one. But I would like to know what do you suggest for people with limited income who reuse their plastic grocery bags for trash bags instead of buying plastic trash bags to line their trash cans. 'Aren't they helping out indirectly?

[Natalie]

Nan-

Sure, we totally agree with reusing the bags you inevitably go home with! Lining your trash cans with them is a great way to start. We actually have a few products on our site that help to keep those bags from becoming a total monster underneath your sink, you can see them here: http://www.reusablebags.com/store/kitchen-home-office-reusing-plastic-bags-c-50_3.html

We also have some great ways to reuse those bags in our CIY section of this blog: http://reusablebags.typepad.com/blog/diy/