Letters for August 12

August 11, 2009

Letter to Editor

View from behind the register: plastic vs. cloth grocery bags

I have noticed that there are a lot of letters coming in about the pros and cons of reusable shopping bags.

Until recently I was a cashier in a local grocery store and since there’s been a lot said from the customer point of view, I thought you might like to hear what it’s like on the other side of that counter.

I have seen, and smelled, many things from the cloth shopping bags, some of which would make you gag.

An extreme example would be the bag with the blood stains, mold and rotting produce in it! You’ll just have to use your imagination as far as the aroma is concerned. I politely asked if they wanted all their groceries in the one bag and was told to “just throw it all in there”. I’m pretty sure this takes unsanitary to a whole new level and I have to say there isn’t enough hand sanitizer in the world to make you feel clean after that.

On the flip side of that extreme are the customers, and there are a few out there, who have designated bags for there meat products and produce items, and those bags gets washed after every use.

I realize we’re on a real learning curve here, and I have cloth shopping bags myself, so from a cashier’s point of view I’d like to give everyone a few tips.

If you’re putting meat products of any kind in a cloth bag please wash it after every use.

If you don’t want to use the plastic bags that are in the produce section, that’s great, but have it put all in one bag and, again, wash it after every use.

All your other bags should really be washed about once a month for the simple reason that they have had food in them. The washing instructions should also go for those big plasticky Costco and Wal-Mart bags as well. They need a good wiping out every once in a while too.

Another thing to realize is that the cloth bags, as a general rule, hold more that the plastic ones. Therefore, if you don’t want them to be too heavy, bring extra ones with you so that they can be packed lighter.

A final thing to remember: if you forget your eco-bags in the car or at home, don’t panic - just ask for paper bags. They are recyclable too.

And for those who have made it clear they want to have the plastic bags, for whatever reason, there are still stores that have them. Country Grocer definitely has them (and they are 100 per cent biodegradable).

Barb Tulip

Royal Oak

Views were 'misjudged' by readers

Re: “Please direct me to the high road,” Letters, July 24.

My views have been completely misjudged by recent letters to the editor.

Firstly, my concerns in my original letter (July 17) were directed at Ms. Moreau only. I have great respect for those who deal with the challenges of living and working downtown. I would never dream of “giving them a slap upside the head.”

Secondly, the major point of my letter was that people need to act on their frustrations. If they are tired of stepping on needles, then tell the Vancouver Island Health Authority and Victoria mayor Dean Fortin that a safe injection site is needed in Victoria. I am not taking a high road, just a practical one.

Doreen Marion Gee

Saanich

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Letters for August 12

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