Japan to Ban Free Plastic Bags at Stores
OH, THE HORROR!
What would Japan be without its legions of bagladies?
Japan aims to ban free plastic bag distribution by stores
TOKYO (AFP) - Japan has announced a draft plan to stop retailers from giving out plastic bags for free amid efforts to improve the environment …
…”If everything goes as scheduled, the bill to ban free distribution of plastic bags will be sent to the parliament in 2006 at the earliest,” an environment ministry official said.…more….
ripped off from Greggman.com
OH, THE HORROR!
What will happen to department stores selling Mystery Bags full of junk after New Years?
Large department stores in Japan have entire industries devoted to plastic bags or wrappings inside of wrappings. What will happen to the industry of getting the “wrap” on gift wrapping?
What will become of engrained art “tsutsumi” & noshi that has filtered down through the ages to wrap purchases of natto at 7-11?
Hey, wait a minute. Let’s start selling 3Yen.com tote bags!
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June 13th, 2005 at 7:54 pm
This was done in Ireland recently (1+ years ago) and it really is a great idea. Plastic bags are still available but at 15cent per bag, just enough to make people thing twice before using a seperate bag for each purchase :). All the super markets have started selling heavy duty bags for around the 1 to 2 euro mark, these bags have got a life time guarantee and will be replaced free of chage if they break.
June 13th, 2005 at 9:22 pm
Reading between the lines, I figure the stores will start to sell colorful designer paper bags for 50-100 yen since paper bags won’t be covered by the new law.
June 13th, 2005 at 10:21 pm
There was this chain in the US (Publix?) that was selling the “neither” bag, years ago. It was made of cotton (denim style) and had some warranty, and of course a big logo on it… Anyway, when the bag boy was asking you “paper or plastic”, you just replied “neither” and handed him your bag instead. I would be glad if it happened here, as most people, me included, would make the extra effort just to save a couple of yen.
June 14th, 2005 at 8:48 am
Hey, wait a minute. Let’s start selling 3Yen.com tote bags!
See news.3yen.com/wp-content/images/3Yen_tote-bag.jpg