Plastic bags vs cling film

We’re all getting very careful with our plastic bags.  In the supermarket the other day, I noticed that at least 50% of shoppers had re-usable bags with them.  I always re-use and recycle any that I get, just like most of my friends.  But what do I do about cling film? Nothing.  At all.  And I use it a lot.  One roll every 3-4 weeks I think.  And obviously I just throw it away.  Its so small I hardly even notice it.

But cling film actually makes up a bigger percentage of our household waste than plastic bags (4.1% as opposed to 3.2% according to a survey by South Glos County council).   I imagine too that those non-recyclable plastic trays (in our area anyway) that contain anything from fruit to ready meals make up a far higher percentage of our plastic waste.

So why are we so obsessed with plastic bags?  I think the amount of press plastic bags has got over the last few years has been huge.  And this is having an effect.  But only on such a small aspect of our behaviour that it is now negligible.  But we feel we have been green by doing it.  Hence we allow ourselves to carry on doing other things which are far worse for the environment because we feel that we have already ‘checked that box’.

http://tinyurl.com/bessny (Monbiot)

http://tinyurl.com/clmpjz (PDF by South Glos County council)