New EU Requirements Demand New Habits

Yesterday, the EU Commission released its proposal for new packaging requirements. Among other things, they are setting requirements for reducing plastic bag consumption. By the end of 2025, we should only be using 40 plastic bags each per year. Currently, we use around 151 plastic bags per Norwegian. The Norwegian Retailers' Environment Fund is responsible for reducing Norwegian plastic bag consumption and is well underway in implementing measures.

“It's a long way to go, but we have the tools we need to make it happen. Norwegians are increasingly concerned about environmental issues, and we have retail actors who genuinely want to make a change. We have seen positive effects from the price increase on plastic bags that many of the actors implemented in the first half of this year, and we are now working on changing people's habits. An important part of that is highlighting what other options they should use to carry their goods,” says Cecilie Lind, CEO of the Norwegian Retailers' Environment Fund.

This is what you should carry your goods in

Many may think that the plastic bag is environmentally friendly because most of us use it as a trash bag after shopping. It is less environmentally friendly than one might think. A study conducted by NORSUS - Norwegian Institute for Sustainability Research from 2022 looks at various carrying alternatives and their environmental impact under Norwegian conditions. The study includes, among other things, littering risks and the fact that we Norwegians often use the plastic bag as a trash bag when it is done with its ordinary use. It shows that shopping bags made of nylon or polyester come out on top.

- The clearest signal from the study is that reuse is the best thing we can do for the environment, and the more times we use the carrying alternative, the better. Therefore, shopping bags are categorized as the best. The plastic bag used only once and then straight to the trash gets a red light, says Lind.

Many then wonder what they should use for waste when they don't buy plastic bags.

- The answer is bin liners. They are much cheaper and contain less plastic. In this way, you save both money and use less plastic. Win-win, quite simply, says Lind.

What about those who have already accumulated many plastic bags?

- You don't need to be discouraged if you have a drawer full of plastic bags. Put bags in your pocket, bag, or car, so you have them the next time you go shopping. The plastic bag moves up in the hierarchy and becomes far more environmentally friendly if you use it five times or more, says Lind.