Are Thai Checkout Staff On A Bonus For Plastic Bags?

[Amras]

I don't want to have to remember to bring my own bag when I go shopping and I use the bags I get for other purposes when I get home. Kudos to Thailand for not bowing to trendy Western political correctness.

This has nothing to do with western political correctness just with personal responsibility regarding the environment. Don't become as simple minded as the culture you are surrounded with.

Was going to say the same thing. It's not about Sheep, its about the unnecessary use of plastic bags here. Buy one item at 7-11 or anywhere, you need a bag, because clearly you are incapable of carrying a bottle of water without a bag. Or the double bagging for bottles that don't weigh much. There just is no 'thought' to the process of use.

But I guess when you live in a country that has plastic bags everywhere, side of the road, in the grass, park, trees, maybe they think they belong there and they are supposed to use more. Limited worldly experience I guess means they know no better.

[brfsa2]

Why cant Thai supermarkets follow Malaysia's practices? in most Malaysia supermarkets, they will not provide plastic bags. you have to buy the bags, and they aren't cheap.

About 6 years ago I had to buy a cotton green bag. since then I've been using the same bag in thailand at 7/11 and markets.

The supermarkets and 7/11 won't do anything like this because they will loose customers and money... Most Thais don't give a damn about plastic bags and recycling.

In fact, it's not only plastic bags, plastic bottles, tetra pak packages, and plastic wraps in general are much worse than just plastic bags. Most people dont care or dont know this problem.

Another solution as I've seen in other countries, is to use bio-degradable bags. after a period of time, they will dry up and break down, they are not 100% bio, but they are definitely better than the ordinary plastic bags.

[tracklayer]

The whole check out concept is strange. Sort purchases so that all chilled or frozen foods are together. A deliberate resort is then carried out on the way through the till ! Next take out canvas bags place goods in canvas bags put in trolley Another helper then removes items from canvas bag wraps in plastic bag and replaces in canvas bag ;-) I have given up refusing straws and spoons it wastes to much time in the confusion!.

[NoshowJones]

Is it fair to say there is maybe an addiction to plastic bag here?

Everywhere I go, 7 or the market, the need to give every product, even the smallest of items it's own bag is amazing. I have to save them all up then give up for recycling!

When I go to my local market and buy biscuits, the girl always puts a plastic bag on her hand to pick up the biscuits, when I went to get beef mince, the guy just dug his bare hand into it, I just walked away, he could have been scratching his arse for all I know.

[EvilDrSomkid]

This has nothing to do with western political correctness just with personal responsibility regarding the environment.

So let me get this straight.

Because some one takes issue with your crap about political correctness you are calling that person a sheep as in following the herd.

How wonderfully shortsighted.

UG, you are just being a lazy bum for not bringing your own bags to the supermarket. Why do want to have loads of useless plastic bags?

Is it your goal to create as much waste as possible? Is it some kind of political statement to not give a flying f*** about the environment?

Not wanting plastic bags is some kind of leftist conspiracy?

Pathetic.

We bring our own Ikea big shopping bags to Tesco. Sick of the plastic bags. What is the point in putting a 5kg bag of rice into a plastic bag? Why?

[pattayadingo]

No plastic bags at Makro

Yes... and I always 'always bloody well forget to take my own plastic bag. I always end up having to pay 20baht, for a hulking great big red plastic bag. Just right for my 3 small items to flap about wildly on my bike.

you could always get a box for the back of the bike. It's surprising how much they can hold.

[pattayadingo]

I often say no at 7/11 to bags because I can put the goods into my bike box.

On the other hand the bags are good - as mentioned by others here - to put your rubbish into, then drop those into the bin in the street outside.

Are these plastic bags not bio-degradable like those in the U.K.? They do seem to disintegrate if left in the sunlight for some time.

[ricky2002]

Getting handed free bags seems a lot better than being forced to pay for the bags (the situation in my neck of the woods).

I take it, it's the UK, and the stores are Lidl etc. I forget the names of the other ones.

Aldi too

[LeeThayer]

Thailand, hub of plastic bags, spoons, and straws.

[madmitch]

Of course this isn't a problem in Phuket where the big stores all stopped giving out plastic bags in February 2011.

Well, at least that was announced.

We are all still waiting.

[SICHONSTEVE]

It's all about the plastic bags and straws iisn't it?

I even get given a straw for big bottles of water in 7Eleven!

But yeah, the concept of recycling and how bad plastic bags are for the environment hasn't quite caught on yet. It's annoying.

You only need to say "mai ow kap" and smile when they reach to hand you the straw!!

[CobraSnakeNecktie]

There is a significant percentage of waxy corn starch and or cassava starch mixed in with the plastic in bags to cause them to biodegrade quickly.

It's also the reason they tend to rip and tear easily.

Does anyone know the starch to plastic ratio in Thailand bags?

[manarak]

better free biodegradable bags than no bags or pay-bags

[Wat dee]

I think Thai's still have lot more pressing issues to worry about than plastic bags.

Their "carbon footprint" is a toe compared to American or European.

Learning little bit of the local language, could ease your frustrations.I DON'T NEED A STRAW/BAG,THANK YOU.

[curtklay]

At small shops, when I purchase more than 1 item, each one goes in a separate bag, then all the bags go into another bag. Crazy. When they start going overboard with the bags, I stop them and put everything in 1 bag. If I'm buying just a single item, I tell them "no bag". It's excessive and wasteful, and someday they will catch on. (maybe)

And how about rubber bands? At the drugstore, they rubber band the pills together in groups before putting them all in the bag. I must have thousands of rubber bands in a drawer.

But the craziest of all is when they put on a plastic bag like a glove to handle the food items you are buying, and then take your filthy money with the gloved hand!

[Jingthing]

I'm aware of the ecological issues, but seriously, I really do find having lots of plastic bags in different sizes very useful. So at least I reuse a lot of them. Another thing I am charmed by is when sometimes in Thailand they will take the plastic bags and shape them into HANDLES. I mean for large bulky items. It happened the other day and I was very impressed and made it clear to the bag artiste that I was.

[Misterwhisper]

Went to a large superstore chain, where they offered large "green" canvas shopping bags at the counters for just 40 Baht each.

I took two, put them on the counter's conveyor belt in front of my other groceries. The check-out girl put them both in a plastic bag, then proceeded to handle the groceries likewise.

I watched on for a few seconds, then asked her, in Thai: "Why do you think I just bought these two shopping bags?"

She stopped, gazed at me with a look that was between "what does this strange 'farang' want from me?" and "have I done something wrong?" and you could clearly see how her brain was trying to process my question... clickety-click.

It finally dawned on her. She pulled out the two bags, handed them to me with a smile, and then... PROCEEDED putting my remaining groceries into more plastic bags!

Two canvas bags in my hands, I was standing there, speechless.

Edited April 7, 2013 by Misterwhisper

[Ulysses G.]

This has nothing to do with western political correctness just with personal responsibility regarding the environment.

So let me get this straight.

Because some one takes issue with your crap about political correctness you are calling that person a sheep as in following the herd.

Very perceptive. I do not want to pay for a cloth bag if I do not have one with me. Free biodegradable bags or free paper bags are a perfectly reasonable solution.

[RefinedGentleman]

Getting handed free bags seems a lot better than being forced to pay for the bags (the situation in my neck of the woods).

I take it, it's the UK, and the stores are Lidl etc. I forget the names of the other ones.

Sweden.

The cost of a plastic bag in the grocery store is equivalent to 10 baht. I imagine these complainers would feel differently about free bags if this was the case in Thailand.

[RefinedGentleman]

Here are some good articles for those of you who think reusable bags are such a great idea.

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-02-04/the-disgusting-consequences-of-liberal-plastic-bag-bans.html

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122238422541876879.html

[CobraSnakeNecktie]

Here are some good articles for those of you who think reusable bags are such a great idea.

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-02-04/the-disgusting-consequences-of-liberal-plastic-bag-bans.html

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122238422541876879.html

interesting

The road to hell is paved with good intentions and unintended consequences.

If only life was more simple

[osten]

I've thought about this before and I think they give plastic bag for even 1 tiny item because so many Thais arrive at the store on a motorbike; hence the need for a bag for even small items. Just a thought.

[Tatsujin]

Of all the things to complain about in Thailand, this does seem rather trivial. Just collect the bags and reuse them as we do.

[bystanderinbkk]

Not exactly on the topic, but a clarification. The supermarket in the basement of Siam Paragon is the "Gourmet Market," not the "Villa Market."

[Johnniey]

Plastic bags are very useful in the rainy season to stick on your head.

[Johnniey]

Of all the things to complain about in Thailand, this does seem rather trivial. Just collect the bags and reuse them as we do.

Yeah.Some idiots moaning about getting straws and spoons. You don't need take them.

But because many feel inadequate here they choose to use anything to prove their own superiority.

I have a little box full of plastic spoons. Very usefull.for going on picnics and camping.

[LALes]

The modern world has "evolved" to the point where people are just too lazy to think. Its too much of a bother to

have to remember to bring a bag. Its an imposition to have someone tell you you are not entitled to

all the free bags you can carry. Its my god given right to free, plastic bags. No wonder the world is so polluted.

Since the end of WWII, the world has gone increasingly consumerist. Everything must be done to ensure that

people buy, buy, buy with no possible deterrent. I'm 63. I remember my parents bringing home groceries in

cardboard boxes or paper bags. All natural. The invention of the plastic bag has brought a level of convenience

to the world that really should never have been unleashed. It is too easy to buy, now. How much xxxx would you buy

if you knew there would be no bag? That you would, heaven forbid, have to think of a way to get the xxxx home.

I bring a bag with me every time I leave the house. It should be second nature to everybody. Even if the people

at the check out counter can't understand why you have a bag, you should direct them to put the articles in YOUR

bag, not theirs. We all have a responsibility on this planet. Those that don't agree are just lazy. They will hide behind

some manufactured outcry that this is another example of Big Brother, or the Govt. telling you what to do. Well, guess

what losers. Somebody has to whip your sorry asses into shape. Too much human detritus littering the landscape.

Good. I feel better.

Edited April 7, 2013 by metisdead
Profanity

[ekkamai]

It's all about the plastic bags and straws iisn't it?

I even get given a straw for big bottles of water in 7Eleven!

But yeah, the concept of recycling and how bad plastic bags are for the environment hasn't quite caught on yet. It's annoying.

May I?

2 cans of coke, 2 cans of beer, 1 bottle of mouthwash: 5 straws!

I was going to say again at Villa Market,Siam Paragon I've many a time been given a straw for each of the 500ml cans of Krombacher Beer purchased!

I wouldn't mind but I'm a big,strapping lad and look nothing like an Essex girl out for the night in Magaluf,Mallorca!

The supermarket in Siam Paragon is not a VILLA !

[moggie]

when u buy a pack of four clingwrapped yoghurts at tesco lotus u get four spoons included!!! come on tesco lotus.....cut it out!!!

[phuketjock]

To the obvious dimwits on this thread, no one forces or coerces you into taking anything, straws, bags, spoons

or anything you don't want from anyone anywhere, so just say no thank you.

It is also quite obvious that not many of the people on this thread have much in the way of observational powers,

if you did you would know that some supermarkets in Thailand, yes Thailand, do in fact make an effort to help the

environment.

The previously mentioned Villa Market uses recyled logos on their OXO- Biodegradable plastic bags.

Central Food hall ( Tops ) also uses a "Foundation for Environmental Preservation" logo on their biodegradable bags

and urges all to "Use, Reuse, then Degrage".

If you want to complain about anything complain about the big Supermarket chains like Tesco, Big C and even 7/11

who make vastly obscene profits and make little effort to help in preservation of the environment, go vent your anger

at them to provide biodegradeable packaging and don't blame the supermarkets for irresponsible litterbugs either.