The Pitch:

I am proposing a very simple but effective idea: to provide reusable, heavy duty and hygienic bags for rent at any time at the checkout counter of the supermarket. This will dramatically diminish the use of plastic bags, eliminating all the related environmental problems.

About plastic shopping bags…
The shopping plastic bag is ubiquitous and in many ways has become a proxy for our modern unsustainable lifestyles, representing a serious environmental and amenity hazard. Even in western European countries where the awareness among consumers about environmental issues is higher, still an average of 200 bags per person per year is used.

Current Situation:
A great portion of plastic bags are bought for several reasons such as spontaneous shopping events, convenience, cheaper than the alternatives etc. Other more environmentally friendly options include biodegradable plastic bags or paper bags. These alternatives presumable solve the problem of litter and landfill but consume more resources and energy and also produce more greenhouse gas than plastic bags. Other consumers use reusable, heavy duty plastic bags or cloth bags. This definitely reduce plastic bags consumption but does not provide economical solutions to the spontaneous shopping habit customers and more importantly is definitely not hygienic if consumers do not wash these bags after each use.
All in all, there is still not a complete solution to overcome the current plastic evil.

Solution:
I have a simple but complete solution to this problem, by providing reusable, heavy duty and hygienic bags for rent at any time at the checkout counter of the supermarket. Bags can then be returned back.
At the time of renting a bag, consumers will have to pay a rent (few cents) plus the deposit for the bag and when returning such bag back consumers will get back the deposit money. The renting service will be made available at all the supermarkets. Otherwise, consumers can keep the bag. In that case they will not get their deposit money back.

The returned bags will be washed and disinfected and will be made available for further renting. Also these bags will be produced from the viable waste material and will provide jobs in the developing countries in Africa or in Asia. Bags can also include modern designs to make them nicer.

Benefits:
Consumers will be happy because of green and more economical solution without compromising convenience and hygiene. Supermarkets will have greener operations reducing their carbon footprint and most importantly we will have a clean environment and society for us and for the generations to come.

Comments:

Log in or create a user account to comment.