'No Plastic Bag' Day
Every Saturday, we at Chang Jiang practise 'No Plastic Bag' day. It was my idea and I will always make sure that it's being carried out. But we actually only practise it until about 5pm. You will surely ask me why. Let me tell you. I usually go back in the evening and that's when my people at the counter will stop practising it totally.
Actually we provide boxes even though we discourage using plastic bags. Yet sometimes we need to use plastic bags for the elderly or those who demand plastic bags citing that they ride motorcycles/bicycles or walk.
Yesterday was Saturday and it was supposed to be a 'No Plastic Bag' day but mind you, my people didn't carry it out. Usually my boy would take out the boxes and start cutting them for the usage. But yesterday he was in Penang and I didn't go in the morning. When I was there after 12pm, I noticed that they were not using any boxes at all! Of course, I was pissed off. I just simply get those boxes and started cutting plenty for them. I asked, "Is it so difficult to get that done?"
Today is Sunday and I was in the shop as the boss had to attend a meeting. Since they used up so much plastic yesterday and we lacked certain plastic bags for today, I cut up boxes for usage. I wrote a notice on the white board:
'Today (Sunday): No Plastic Bag. Due to lack of plastic bags.
No complaints from the customers but they were surprise that we didn't provide plastic bags on Sunday too.
Yet we are still considerate. Not totally strict.
PS: we have been practising this since Jan 2011 and yet the objective is not totally achieved. Not many customers like to bring their own shopping bags.
it's actually a good initiative from you, but somehow many people are still not used to bringing their own shopping bags.. while you actually wanted to do that firmly, i guess you sometimes are also caught in a predicament that you may worry about losing the customers.. hmmm, changes are surely tough but i guess over the time it will get better.. :)
ReplyDeletetrue, some customers even said that they wouldn't come shopping on Saturdays.
DeleteSome even threatened to shop next door!
well, it's a challenge and we must stick to it no matter what..
Haha .. whenever I shop in jusco on Saturdays, I always fret for not having any plastic bags.
ReplyDeletewe should learn to accept this useful cause to be environmental friendly.
DeleteYes, good move on your part to have a no-plastic-bag day but sometimes the customers did not know that they will be buying things when they go out of their house so they did not bring their own recycle bags.
ReplyDeletetrue, so we provide boxes for them..
DeleteGood practice. I believe those regular customers would know your Saturday policy and bring their own bag. But still, your staff have to be initiative in implementing it and stick to the objective.
ReplyDeletePeople here too used to plastic bags. I myself will keep one shopping bag in the car just in case.
yes, it's rather weird to see the 'No Plastic Bag' day notice and yet we use plastic bags. It's so contradicting!
DeleteThere used to be a supermarket chain here, that has no plastic bag day, one week once, but now no more liao...
ReplyDeleteI'm sure they must have face the same problem.
DeleteGood one, as for me I always must have a recycle bag with me all the time, don't like to use plastic bag!!! =]
ReplyDeleteGood! That's a good habit! Keep it up!
DeleteCan understand your frustration. Old habits is hard to change.
ReplyDeletewell, any habits can be changed for a good cause..
DeleteHv to keep reminding them. Keep at it and soon they will be able to automatically gv customers boxes instead of plastic.
DeleteMaybe make incentives to the staffs? If on a Saturday each staff that did not issue plastic bag to customers will get a small gift at the end of the day?
yes, I always have to remind them. If I just let go, they will be overjoy. They dislike it but they have no choice.
DeleteBtw, it's difficult not to give plastic bags. Some customers are very demanding so they have no choice too.
Anyway, we will still carry on. Hope one day, our objective will be totally achieved.
For my case, I always forget but I always leave my recycle bags at the car boot.. just in case I forget, I go to my car to take...
ReplyDeleteThat's good. At least you have your shopping bag with you.
Deleteit is good to implement ;no plastic days' in your shop. My family started to get used to it (no plastic) already. However, sometimes, plastic is still needy because we can used it as garbage bag at home.
ReplyDeleteyes, we should be more environmental friendly.
Deletesoon we will get used to the idea of not using plastic bags when we go shopping.
Was on MC yesterday, having fever.. But now, am back..
ReplyDeleteYep, it's good to implement the no-plastic bag day.. But somehow or rather, there will still be people who forgotten or overlook it, like in the shopping mall, they will need to pay 20cents for additional plastic bags.. I have to admit I'm one of them, sometimes with 2 kids around, I will forget to bring my recycle bag when I do my grocery shopping *shy*
oh, take care..
Deletemy customers want to pay 20 sen too at times but we don't allow that. We will provide them boxes whether they like it or not.
Good afternoon wenn! How's your Tuesday?
ReplyDeleteWell, never thought you'll implement the no plastic bag day! Cause as I know, only major shopping malls do that!
But anyway, it's indeed a good thing to implement! I myself support environmental friendly thing, everytime I go Tesco, I also bring my own bag ;)
Deleteyes, we actually implement it to create awareness among our customers even though out shop may not be as large as the emporium.
DeleteThumbs up! I support and salute your idea to promote awareness although I took the given plastic bags sometimes to store garbage at home. Most plastic bags are eco-friendly in KL where it would dissolve after few months.
ReplyDeletethanks, if it's eco-friendly plastic bags, then it's fine.
Deletewe still use plastic bags. Just for saturdays that we try to promote it.
I have to habit to buy recycle bags from overseas to use them here when doing marketing. Their bags are sometimes colourful and often reminded me of my trips.
ReplyDeleteoh, I haven't thought of that. maybe I should do that too.
DeleteI have stored several recycle shopping bags and folded them inside my car's pockets to be used anytime. I also packed them in my luggage when i travel overseas.
ReplyDeleteThat's very good! Keep it up! Just wish everyone is like you..
Delete