http://etat.geneve.ch/dt/site/protection-environnement/dechets/master-content.jsp?componentId=kmelia102&pubId=6742&valueId_actualites=13


Cheers
Martin

MartinX, Feb 12, 2007 @ 11:38

..if you want to be ecologicaly friendly. As far as I know, non PET plastic bags are not recycled in Switzerland. This is why environmentalists suggest that people should use multiple use bags. Two main alternatives: multiple use paper bags with FSC (forest sterwardship council) label (as found at Migros), or cotton ones, as Ecosacs: http://cdurable.info/spip.php?article52 There are some fashionable bags made out or recycled materials available too.

I, personaly, try to use as much as possible my bagpack to go shopping. I always specify "without plastic bag please" as shop clarks tend to ALWAYS give one, whatever the size of the product you buy, May it be a habit, or because they are forced to do so, as you become a free mobile advertising supports while carrying a branded bag around.



Further info:
- In france consumers use more than 15 000 000 000 free plastic bags per year (1000 bags per seconde !), sometimes re-used as trash bags. One out of 10 of those trash bags end up in the sea !

- "Bio" bags, made out of corn, are not a real better option, as manufacturing them requires so much energy that they aren't much more environmental friendly than the conventional ones.
Hobbes, Feb 12, 2007 @ 13:17

Yeah, I try really hard to avoid plastic bags at all costs (and avoid paper too, although I will take paper over plastic any day). I have quite a few canvas bags that I use at the store, and usually ask the salespeople not to bag things, but in the year we have been here we have inevitably acquired a few more plastic bags an we can use (I try to get as many uses out of them as possible), so the next best thing is to recycle them. I’ve noticed that there aren’t as many plastic recycling options here than in the US (where I recycle almost everything) – but that may be because I haven’t figured them all out yet.

I agree that all these plastic bags are horrible for our environment. There should be a steep charge for each one, then people may think twice before mindlessly taking one for every little thing they buy. Unfortunately, until things like this affect people’s pocketbooks, there isn’t much incentive to change… let’s hope I’m wrong.

Reduce ~ Reuse ~ Recycle

Debbie, Feb 12, 2007 @ 15:17

Too bad ! Your message is a beautifful love message to our planet, and I could kiss you for behaving the way you do !

Sentimental Hobbes
Hobbes, Feb 12, 2007 @ 19:37

Thanks!

I wish everyone was as passionate about this as we are!

~Debbie :)
Debbie, Feb 12, 2007 @ 22:37

I also would like to know where to recycle plastic bags.  I checked the link that MartinX suggested which gives info on recycling but nothing about plastic bags.  Can anyone help?

 

Stephen S, May 8, 2015 @ 11:49

I give my plastic bags to various charity shops.  But ask first before you do the same, as some shops have their own bags and don’t need donations.

A lot of these charity shops also need clean, reusable paper bags from the Coop, Migros, Denner, etc., but, here again, ask first.

Hope this helps, R.

Ritchie, May 8, 2015 @ 12:13

Casuistik, May 8, 2015 @ 12:14