I know that this column is not essentially the environmental
awareness section; there are others that do a great job in
this department. However a poor environment equals poor health
right? And health is my concern. You would think that in the
current climate of heightened awareness concerning pollution,
environmental issues and global warming that most companies
would make an effort to keep themselves as green as possible.
Fortunately many places, particularly large supermarkets and
retailers are making at least a little bit of effort to clean
up their act. One store however, is choosing to ignore all
this and continues to pump out as many plastic bags at their
check outs as they possibly can. Not only this, they are not
giving the individual the choice to refuse plastic shopping
bags by bringing their own canvas sack.
I’m not really one for the hyper-stores, but curiosity
got the better of me and I decided to visit the long awaited
‘Carrefour’ store (several weeks after the monstrous
crowds had died down).
As usual I took along my folded canvas “green sacks”,
choosing to believe that my small efforts might make difference
in this world. I was stopped by the female security guard
at the store entrance and directed to the bag save counter.
I politely told the lady that my bags were empty and that
I needed them for my shopping.
“I am sorry you can’t bring them in” she
replied.
“But I am using these bags to avoid the plastic ones,
they cause pollution” I protested.
“You can’t bring them in, please leave them at
the bag save.” She said again.
“But can’t you see, this is for the environment
on YOUR Island?”
“That’s not my concern, these are company rules
and you will have to stick to those rules, so please take
your bags to the counter”.
And there the conversation ended. I conceded defeat thinking
that I could grab my canvas bags when I got to the check out,
but the distance between the check out and bag-save made that
plan impossible. This is not a one-off incident. I have had
the same experience three times already at the Carrefour hyper-store.
I find this really disappointing, especially when other stores
and individuals are really trying to do their ‘bit’
for the environment. Bali is a very small Island, and while
the ‘hyper-store with everything’ might be welcome
by some, the hyper- garbage certainly is not.
If you want to visit the greener shopping destinations here
are some alternatives that are doing at least a little bit
towards saving the planet.
· Dijon – Offers a discount if you bring your
own shopping bag, and has canvas bags for sale at the checkout.
They also have a fantastic range of brightly colored bags
in various sizes that are actually made from recycled garbage.
· Bali Deli – Allows you to bring your own bag,
and has canvas bags for sale at the check out.
· Tiara Dewata – Allows you to bring your own
bag and gives you a canvas bag if you spend more than Rp.
250,000. There is also a large sign (in Indonesian) at the
check out encouraging shoppers to avoid the use of plastic
bags (comforting eh?).
· Makro – Does not issue any bags at all, you
can take your trolley directly to the car, or purchase sturdy
re-usable plastic carrier bags at the checkout.
· Matahari Supermarket – Does not have any canvas
bags for sale, but will allow you to take your own.
Oh, and one more tip. Your soaps, toiletries, tissues and
other ‘non food’ items do not need to be wrapped
in plastic again at the check-out and separated from your
groceries when they are packed. Most of these items are already
packed, at least once, in plastic and will not leak or smell.
“Kim Patra is a qualified Registered Nurse and Midwife
that has been living and working in Bali for almost twenty
years. She now runs her own private practice and medical referral
service from her Kuta office. Kim is happy to discuss any
health concerns with you and she may be contacted via e-mail
at info@chcbali.com or Hp. 081 2366 0000”.
