'Plastic attack' packaging protesters hit Tesco in Bath

[Chippy_Tea]

The latest band wagon for the tree huggers to jump on, wouldn't it be better to stand outside with a sandwich board saying we will not shop here until they stop using plastic packaging rather than pay for their shopping and do this, i bet Tesco are looking forward to them protesting again sooner rather than later.

Shoppers at a branch of Tesco have staged a "plastic attack" to protest against excessive packaging on groceries.

A group of about 25 customers at the supermarket in Keynsham, near Bath, ripped the wrapping off their goods and left it at the tills.

Tony Mitchell, who organised the protest, said "three huge trollies" were filled with discarded plastic.

Tesco said it was "absolutely committed to reducing plastic packaging".

After completing their weekly shop, the protesters paid for their groceries before taking scissors to the plastic packaging and leaving it behind for the store to deal with.

Waitrose next'

Mr Mitchell, said the group had been a "bit apprehensive" but the response from supermarket staff had not been at all "hostile".

"The manager was there and he was being distant but friendly and, from what one or two people said, he sort of agreed with this," he said.

He added the group was not "picking on Tesco" and would be hitting the local Sainsbury's and Waitrose next.

"We'll certainly be doing the other supermarkets in the town which have not been making as much effort as they might have done," he said.

"And I personally will be quite happy to just strip my plastics off and drop them into a trolley but I'm not lacking in confidence that way."

A spokesperson said: "We're absolutely committed to reducing plastic packaging and would be happy to meet with these local campaigners as we develop our plans to make all our packaging fully recyclable or compostable by 2025."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-43559636

 

[ACBEV]

Plastic is the scourge of the world. Most retailers and producers have been slow to react to public opinion and the effect plastics have on the environment. I love hugging trees too...

 

[Chippy_Tea]

I agree that packaging needs to be reduced but leaving it in a trolly or at the counter so the staff have to put it in a bin is not going to change anything and to buy the food there to leave the packaging is laughable.

 

[Ken L]

Excessive packaging is a pain and there are appropriate ways and means to lobby for change, this is however unacceptable.
To teach these idiots that it is unacceptable, perhaps an injunction that prevents those taking part from entering any supermarket in their home town for 12 months would be appropriate.

 

[jceg316]

I agree that packaging needs to be reduced but leaving it in a trolly or at the counter so the staff have to put it in a bin is not going to change anything and to buy the food there to leave the packaging is laughable.

I kind of agree. A good idea in theory but execution is off. It serves no purpose to have the Tesco staff, who have no say in what gets packaged in plastic clear up their mess. It would be better to dump it at headquarters or wherever they make those sorts of decisions.

 

[marshbrewer]

Meh ~ I'm relaxed about this. As long as supermarkets can continue to package my food in plastic that stops it from spoiling early, thus needing replacing with all the associated environmental waste, I'm cool. The holier-than-thou crowd can continue to get a semi by feeling big, brave and righteous, while not having to confront the fact that most of the plastic in the ocean originated from countries that they would piss their pants if they ever had to visit, let alone protest in, meanwhile the rest of us continue to benefit from the miracles of modern technology.

Bring on the pious trolly! It could be made of wicker or summit.

 

[terrym]

And to think that 30 years ago, eco-warrior that I was, I refused to take the paper bags that Woolworths insisted on using for everything purchased in their store. Look what good that did. Everything is now wrapped in plastic.

 

[Thumper]

I personally find excessive packaging rage-inducing... but I dont think this is good way of going about this.

 

[Derekmr]

Idiots, just doing that for 15 minuets of game,
I agree about plastic packaging but protest in a decent proper way,
They just made a fool of themselves and did absolutely nothing for the cause.

 

[pms67]

And to think that 30 years ago, eco-warrior that I was, I refused to take the paper bags that Woolworths insisted on using for everything purchased in their store. Look what good that did. Everything is now wrapped in plastic.

Me too,I just used my pockets,especially at the pic’n’mix.
No one told me you had to pay