January 28, 2008
The plastic bag index for green countries
Further to my admiration for the supermarket in Davos that did not offer me a plastic bag, I note that it is only part of Switzerland’s green credentials.
Yale University’s environmental performance index, which was released at Davos, places Switzerland top of the league on factors including air pollution, water quality, greenhouse gas emissions per head etc. The study notes that wealth correlates closely with environmental performance: the richer you are the more you tend to care about such things.
Switzerland pipped various Scandinavian countries - Finland, Sweden, and Norway - to first place in the league, with Costa Rica, Austria and New Zealand just behind. The US came in 39th spot and Niger and Angola were at the bottom.
Availability of plastic bags in supermarkets does not figure in the various performance measurements. But I think it speaks to social attitudes towards the environment and recycling. The US, which appears to churn out more plastic bags than anywhere else, suffers on this score.
Still, there is hope. Whole Foods Market, the upmarket grocery chain in the US, has just decided to phase out plastic bags, San Francisco has banned most types and cities including New York are encouraging recycling. There is still some way to go, however.
I was surprised to read about your “finding” the other day, Switzerland has had this plastic bag anti-proliferation policy for more than 15 years. Other countries are catching up too, in China handing out of free plastic bags in shops will we banned from June 2008.
Posted by: Vladimir Dzhuvinov | January 29th, 2008 at 7:12 am | Report this commentMigros will be selling their new re-usable polypropylene waterproof bags from next month in their supermarkets for Fr2.–each. They can be worn over the shoulder too, capacity 26l., can take up to 15k and the design will change every 4 months. It’s anticipated that they might become collectibles. The other retail duopolist in CH (the “Coop” (cooperative) will no doubt follow with a bag too.
Btw, both Migros and Coop are cooperatives and practically every Swiss has members cards.
Posted by: FH | January 29th, 2008 at 7:48 am | Report this commentSome years ago, a lawyer in Basle introduced a proposal to float Migros on the stock market, and all M-card holders would have received shares - gratis!! However his proposal got the thumbs down from the Swiss at large who are very fond of their retail duopolists.
Mr Dzuvinov is right: I was a student travelling in Switzerland in 1990, and like many had a paper bag neatly folded and kept in my jeans back pocket.
Posted by: J Michael, private banker, 39 | January 30th, 2008 at 4:59 am | Report this commentWhile I do appreciate Switzerland’s effort and in fact leadership in the green parade, it seems to be obvious that only the rich can afford to spend the time and money on the finer details.
For example paper bags for groceries work fine if the weather is dependable and u can drive home or take an uncrowded bus home. But if you have to be crushed and wet for a 30 mile commute with a walk through not so great roads to get home, you do appreciate the plastic bag that the grocer gives you. Many of them are too busy coping to have the time or money to go green.
Despite the odds, many of these countries do have very good indigenous recycling systems with excellent economic incentives. Another example: my friends from India are always shocked when they arrive in the UK and realise that they are not going to be paid for their rubbish! In India, old paper, broken furniture, scrap metal etc. is sold to a door to door vendor called the ‘kabadi’. Old clothes are exchanged for new steel utensils. Piles of rubbish are trawled for anything that can be sold (by the poorest) and there is a market for everything.
I would be interested in an index that rewards sustainable economic incentives or adjusts for, say, per capita income.
Posted by: Londonsen | January 31st, 2008 at 10:27 am | Report this comment