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Poll: Do you think supermarkets should reduce plastic packaging?

Campaigners are asking people to leave the excess plastic packaging with the cashier.

DO YOU COME home with a lot of plastic after a supermarket shop?

A day of action is planned for Saturday 21 April where campaigners are asking people to take off the excess plastic packaging at the supermarket checkout and leave it with the cashier.

Director of Friends of the Earth Oisin Coghlan said, “People are just sick of plastic. And sick of having more and more of it dumped on us by retailers who make us responsible for trying to recycle it.

“Far too much of our fruit and vegetables are packed and wrapped in plastic, for example.”

So today we’re asking, do you think supermarkets should reduce plastic packaging?


Poll Results:

Yes  (12617)
No  (386)
I don't know (127)

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128 Comments
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    Mute Sam Harms
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    Mar 24th 2018, 8:33 AM

    Definitely considering most of it isn’t even recyclable plastic.

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    Mute jon-boy55
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    Mar 24th 2018, 9:18 AM

    @Sam Harms: just unwrap your goods and leave the plastic on the shelf as you shop, it takes a little longer at checkout but eventually they will learn that polluting the oceans is not acceptable

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    Mute Molehead
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    Mar 24th 2018, 9:23 AM

    @jon-boy55: and how do they scan the bar code if you do that? Not every item of fruit and veg is sold by weight. It takes longer at check out cos they have to go back down and retrieve a punnet of pears to scan cos you took yours out and handed them to the cashier loose.

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    Mute Karen Wellington
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    Mar 24th 2018, 9:27 AM

    @Molehead: well if it didn’t inconvenience the supermarket then it wouldn’t be an effective protest, but it probably makes more sense to remove the package at the checkout after it’s been scanned.

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    Mute Siobhán Ni Mhurchú
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    Mar 24th 2018, 9:29 AM

    @jon-boy55: you can’t do that because the barcodes are on the packaging .you’d have 5o wait until they’re paid for first and then remove all packaging ..

    26
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    Mute Father Hody Commody
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    Mar 24th 2018, 9:53 AM

    @jon-boy55: Or, bring the lot home, and return the packaging on your next visit. No delays.

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    Mute Father Hody Commody
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    Mar 24th 2018, 9:54 AM

    @Molehead: I’ve seen barcodes on individual eggs. Dem chickens are well advanced.

    39
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    Mute William Bayle
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    Mar 24th 2018, 9:57 AM

    @Father Hody Commody: you can’t bring back your plastic from home, it’s a super market not a dump however if you leave it before leaving the shop technically it still shop property

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    Mute Skimothy
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    Mar 24th 2018, 10:38 AM

    @William Bayle: once you’ve paid for it then it’s technically yours.

    43
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    Mute phil m
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    Mar 24th 2018, 10:46 AM

    @Karen Wellington:suppliers need to use less plastic but everyone need to play a part. I’ve seen people at the checkout with products that are already in packages putting them in fruit and veg bags as well.

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    Mute Karen Wellington
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    Mar 24th 2018, 11:22 AM

    @phil m: good point, maybe some sort of education program or incentives for household who recycle, or sanctions from those who contaminate recycling might help.
    If supermarkets stopped supplying plastic fruit and veg bags in favour of sustainable alternatives, like paper or cardboard, it would be a step in the right direction for them.

    23
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    Mute thatsnotme
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    Mar 24th 2018, 11:52 AM

    @Molehead: Why is it that the consumer should have to do this ? The Manufacturer should be told change your packaging or you will be shut down . Why always is it joe soap that must adjust ? I heard the other day that 1 million coffee cups are used and binned daily in this country! What’s the answer …..their’s considering a fcking tax to solve the problem !

    23
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    Mute Skimothy
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    Mar 24th 2018, 12:21 PM

    @thatsnotme: you could just not buy these products. That’s the only way to make a real impact. People leaving packaging behind them for one day will make no difference. It’ll probably increase sales on these products as some people will buy them to make a point.

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    Mute Alex
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    Mar 24th 2018, 1:05 PM

    @Siobhán Ni Mhurchú: there are scales generate bar code based on weights. It requires customers to weight it by them selves and get the price tag. Lidl use this for nuts.

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    Mute Siobhán Ni Mhurchú
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    Mar 24th 2018, 1:58 PM

    @Alex: true but you can’t do that with packages goods..

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    Mute Bart
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    Mar 24th 2018, 3:19 PM

    @jon-boy55: supermarkets don’t pollute the oceans, consumers do, numbnuts

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    Mute jon-boy55
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    Mar 24th 2018, 3:52 PM

    @Bart: wrong di*khead

    5
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    Mute darrell fahy
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    Mar 24th 2018, 8:47 AM

    Manufacturers should start using less too. Beginning at source.

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    Mute Ronan Sexton
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    Mar 24th 2018, 8:36 AM

    Why would people vote no? Have they a fetish for plastic or something?

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    Mute Skimothy
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    Mar 24th 2018, 8:46 AM

    @Ronan Sexton: I voted no because it really doesn’t bother me.

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    Mute Karen Wellington
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    Mar 24th 2018, 8:49 AM

    @Barry McCockiner: did you misunderstand the question?

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    Mute Aidan Mitchell
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    Mar 24th 2018, 8:49 AM

    @Barry McCockiner: the question was ‘do you think supermarkets should reduce plastic packaging’, not ‘do you think you should take all the plastic packaging off your groceries at the till after you buy them’.

    At least you read the article I guess…

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    Mute Elaynehb
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    Mar 24th 2018, 8:51 AM

    @Barry McCockiner: but that wasn’t the question ! You wouldn’t be removing plastic if the shop used less of it to begin !

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    Mute Martin Byrne
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    Mar 24th 2018, 8:59 AM

    @Barry McCockiner: not sure you really understood what the idea was, Baz

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    Mute Martin Byrne
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    Mar 24th 2018, 9:00 AM

    @Barry McCockiner: that’s just the protest. The real ask is that the supermarkets stop using excess plastic in the first place

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    Mute Brendan Farrell
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    Mar 24th 2018, 9:02 AM

    @Barry McCockiner: that wasn’t the question Barry!!! Maybe you need to go back and read what the actual question was???

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    Mute Martin Byrne
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    Mar 24th 2018, 9:02 AM

    @Skimothy: it really does have something to do with you, Timmy-boy because you’re most likely on the same planet as the rest of us.

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    Mute Sean
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    Mar 24th 2018, 9:02 AM

    @Barry McCockiner: ah yes good man Barry you have played a blinder and not ballsed it up by confusing the article with the question. (knowing wink to everyone else!)

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    Mute Brendan Farrell
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    Mar 24th 2018, 9:03 AM

    @Skimothy: so the fact that our oceans are choking in plastic and destroying fish, bird and plant life doesn’t bother you even a little

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    Mute Brendan Farrell
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    Mar 24th 2018, 9:04 AM

    @Barry McCockiner: no Barry that’s what the campaigners are asking you to do on a day of protest, the poll question was about whether the supermarkets should reduce the plastic in the first place… now try again

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    Mute Sean
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    Mar 24th 2018, 9:05 AM

    @Barry McCockiner: more classic diversion. Look over there – a pink rhino! (as Barry dives into a hedge). Really we just want to hear Barry admit he made a mistake at this point. Come on Barry you can do it!

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    Mute Joey Reilly
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    Mar 24th 2018, 9:07 AM

    @Barry McCockiner: in some cases they do, they have their own brand, Tesco finest etc, Aldi and lid package their goods, you are a fool to be fair.

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    Mute Sean
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    Mar 24th 2018, 9:10 AM

    @Joey Reilly: don’t fall for it Joey!

    5
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    Mute Skimothy
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    Mar 24th 2018, 9:10 AM

    @Brendan Farrell: obviously it doesn’t please me that these things are happening but there’s Alot more things doing more damage to the environment. Plenty of the packaging is recyclable but people are not arsed to put it in a recycling bin. Maybe we should push to make sure more recyclable packaging is used. The packaging is there for customer convenience.

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    Mute brendan H
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    Mar 24th 2018, 9:12 AM

    @Ronan Sexton: Why would people vote i don’t know. I wonder how they get through life with all the daily decisions that have to be made. Like what socks to wear or what bunch of bananas to buy etc.

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    Mute j4VEpUO8
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    Mar 24th 2018, 9:15 AM

    @Barry McCockiner: think harder Barry

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    Mute Aidan McGlone
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    Mar 24th 2018, 9:18 AM

    @Barry McCockiner: If there was no plastic on the items you bought you wouldn’t have to stand around removing anything, would you?

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    Mute Sean
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    Mar 24th 2018, 9:19 AM

    @brendan H: Barry voted and he didn’t even read the question! Here’s Barry after the next referendum. “I voted No. I’m not minding anyone else’s baby for them.” (Er, did you read the question Barry?) lols

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    Mute Siobhán Ni Mhurchú
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    Mar 24th 2018, 9:32 AM

    @Barry McCockiner: and it’s up to the supermarkets to get onto the suppliers to try sort out the packaging issue

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    Mute Caroline Otoole
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    Mar 24th 2018, 9:49 AM

    @Skimothy: I voted no as it will lead to food waste. Customers damage over 30 percent of food waste as it is, imagine what will happen if the armour is removed. Loose produce doesn’t work in Ireland, the shrinkage is massive. Packaging costs money, it’s there for a reason.

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    Mute Michael Madden
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    Mar 24th 2018, 9:53 AM

    @Caroline Otoole: not the brightest are you?

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    Mute Skimothy
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    Mar 24th 2018, 10:04 AM

    @Michael Madden: she right.

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    Mute Joseph Blocks
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    Mar 24th 2018, 10:20 AM

    @Skimothy: at least we can account for that tiny percentage that voted no. They just didn’t understand the very clear and simple question. So it’s safe to assume that 100% of people want less packaging.

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    Mute Skimothy
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    Mar 24th 2018, 10:35 AM

    @Joseph Blocks: understood loud and clear. Don’t worry pet.

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    Mute Alan Madden
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    Mar 24th 2018, 10:51 AM

    @Sean: good one! I’d give you 10 thumbs up for that if I could.

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    Mute Shawn O'Ceallaghan
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    Mar 24th 2018, 1:53 PM

    @Ronan Sexton: doesnt take into account why plastic is used. Nor the fact many already try to reduce the use of plastics.

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    Mute Martin Byrne
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    Mar 24th 2018, 8:50 AM

    I’ve written to SuperValu and Tesco about this and received the usual ‘We are committed to reducing…’ while in reality there is no evidence they are doing anything at all.

    Yesterday Lidl had a bunch of lambs lettuce for sale in a plastic punnet wrapped in plastic film.

    Bring back weigh and label.

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    Mute john Appleseed
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    Mar 24th 2018, 9:07 AM

    @Martin Byrne: shop elsewhere if you can… that’s what I do but luckily I have the option. My local independent supermarket still has the weigh and bag option. They’re a little more expensive but it’s not like tescos and SuperValu are cheap

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    Mute Father Hody Commody
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    Mar 24th 2018, 9:14 AM

    @john Appleseed: Items like bread, fruit, buns, pastries that are without packaging in some shops, i wouldn’t touch. There’s probably hundreds of coughing germ carriers after mauling and coughing on them before someone buys them and gives them to their family. Yuk.

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    Mute Nick Allen
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    Mar 24th 2018, 9:15 AM

    @Martin Byrne:

    After you weight your lambs lettuce where would you put it?

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    Mute john Appleseed
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    Mar 24th 2018, 9:16 AM

    @Father Hody Commody: drama much?

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    Mute Karen Wellington
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    Mar 24th 2018, 9:24 AM

    @Nick Allen: a recyclable paper bag or cardboard container? Then into the trolly or basket, and eventually I suppose a salad or something like that.

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    Mute Martin Byrne
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    Mar 24th 2018, 9:30 AM

    @Nick Allen: in a paper bag, nick.

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    Mute Father Hody Commody
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    Mar 24th 2018, 9:43 AM

    @john Appleseed: Hack, hock, wheeze etc. For example, i was going into a pub yesterday evening and there was a fellow outside, smoking and coughing. The smell of the smoke (therefore his breath) i could get from 10 foot away. So i was inhaling his breath. Now think of the supermarket, and the hundreds of people up and down the aisles, hacking, hocking, wheezing, snotting each day. And imagine your apple having been mauled by someone not picky about their toilet habits. Yeeeeewwww.
    :-)

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    Mute Father Hody Commody
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    Mar 24th 2018, 9:49 AM

    @Father Hody Commody: ……..or maybe they’re just fluent in latin.
    Hic Haec Hoc
    Hunc Hanc Hoc
    Huius Huius Huius
    Huius Huic Huic

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    Mute john Appleseed
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    Mar 24th 2018, 9:52 AM

    @Father Hody Commody: because they’re in sterile conditions in the third world country we import them in before we wrap them in possibly cancer causing plastic.

    33
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    Mute Martin Byrne
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    Mar 24th 2018, 9:52 AM

    @Father Hody Commody: you get millions of pathogens every day. But never mind that – the real point you seem to be making is that you’d like things to continue as they are and ignore the consequences instead of finding solutions.

    In Spain, the bread is behind screens and you can only use tongs to reach it to scoop it into a chute where you can then put it in a paper bag. Problem solved. No plastic packaging.

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    Mute Karen Wellington
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    Mar 24th 2018, 10:00 AM

    @Father Hody Commody: is sound like you want some sort of bubblesuit to protect you from the outside world.

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    Mute Father Hody Commody
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    Mar 24th 2018, 1:22 PM

    @Karen Wellington: I have one but the shops and pubs won’t let me in wearing it.

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    Mute Fiona Fitzgerald
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    Mar 24th 2018, 5:58 PM

    @Father Hody Commody: It’s all good for your immune system.

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    Mute Jazz Buckler
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    Mar 24th 2018, 10:08 PM

    @Father Hody Commody: in your apocalyptical scenario – all those pathogens would end up on the packaging of everything in the supermarket aisles through spluttering – tins of beans, milk cartons, etc, etc
    all things you would handle & therefore end up on your hands (unless you wear gloves all the time – maybe you do).
    But when you take those gloves off they’d still end up on your hands (unless out have a slave to take your gloves off and handle all your groceries – which maybe you do ;)

    1
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    Mute Mickey Finn
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    Mar 24th 2018, 8:38 AM

    We fill a bin bag of packaging after the weekly shopping. Then the other bin is full of non recycle cardboard and plastic

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    Mute Sinead Hanley
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    Mar 24th 2018, 9:35 AM

    @Mickey Finn: Same here. Trays from vegetables and fruit make up most of our packing. There is no need to pack these in trays.

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    Mute Catherine Sims
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    Mar 24th 2018, 1:54 PM

    @Sinead Hanley: I get my veg loose in either a nearby veg stall that’s sets up for a few hours on a veg shop. Bring my own bags. The veggies are dirty and often fairly bumpy but look really natural.

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    Mute Patabake Kennedy
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    Mar 24th 2018, 8:52 AM

    Cant see why eggs are not always put into cardboard boxes, never caused a problem years ago, plastic egg boxes cant even be squashed before being put into the bin.

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    Mute Father Hody Commody
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    Mar 24th 2018, 9:07 AM

    @Patabake Kennedy: Plastic is cheaper and a by product of oil. Cardboard means dead trees.
    Once electric cars become the majority, the plastics industry will have supply problems for its raw material.

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    Mute john Appleseed
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    Mar 24th 2018, 9:23 AM

    @Father Hody Commody: or recycled paper packaging. You are being deliberately obtuse

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    Mute Father Hody Commody
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    Mar 24th 2018, 1:28 PM

    @john Appleseed: still reckon i’m correct about plastic supply, say in 40 years. No petrol/diesel = less by-product for plastic. you’re partially correct as regards paper recycling. But paper will always mean use of wood.

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    Mute Aidan McGlone
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    Mar 24th 2018, 9:12 AM

    All non-recyclable plastic should be banned. No packaging would be preferable to plastic. Ban plastic bottles, bring back the glass bottles and we could have a glass industry here again. More jobs, less plastic, Win-Win

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    Mute john Appleseed
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    Mar 24th 2018, 9:25 AM

    @Aidan McGlone: getting a coke? Get a recyclable aluminum can.

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    Mute Mirabelle Stonegate
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    Mar 24th 2018, 1:01 PM

    @john Appleseed: definitely not!

    i will typically take an entire day to drink a 500ml bottle of soft drink, so cans are useless to me.. i throw out more than i drink.

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    Mute Sam Alexander
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    Mar 24th 2018, 8:48 AM

    What is the alternative in a lot of cases? Buying soft fruit some type of protection is needed. Prepackaged meats – it is either a case of queueing in the butchers or buying prepackaged.
    A bigger problem is toys or gadgets – small goods in large packages.

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    Mute Clare Butler
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    Mar 24th 2018, 8:52 AM

    @Sam Alexander: the alternative is compostable packaging.

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    Mute john Appleseed
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    Mar 24th 2018, 8:54 AM

    @Sam Alexander: paper, cardboard or buying loose so you get what you need..

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    Mute Sam Harms
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    Mar 24th 2018, 8:55 AM

    @Sam Alexander: I’d rather wait a few minutes in the butchers, it’s better quality anyway. With regard to fruits supermarkets could start selling reusable boxes which give you discount off when you use it for your shopping, similar to coffee shops giving discounts to customers who use their reusable coffee cups.

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    Mute Shelley Gallagher Ruane
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    Mar 24th 2018, 9:01 AM

    @Sam Alexander: why not bring back the cardboard punnets (for soft fruits etc) we saw in use before the plastic ones became common. At least cardboard is recyclable. Waxed paper for ham etc, waxed cardboard pots for yogurt (like years ago) and so on.

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    Mute john Appleseed
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    Mar 24th 2018, 9:01 AM

    @Sam Harms: and an opportunity to wash your re-usable cups

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    Mute Stephen Winterson
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    Mar 24th 2018, 9:11 AM

    @Sam Alexander: You could go to your local fruit and veg shop with a reusable bag or box and get all your fruit and veg loose.

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    Mute john Appleseed
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    Mar 24th 2018, 9:24 AM

    @Stephen Winterson: you can but if you work when these local shops are open it’s more difficult.

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    Mute Molehead
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    Mar 24th 2018, 9:31 AM

    @Sam Alexander: exactly! I don’t want to take my strawberries home loose in a paper bag. They will be jam by the time I get home. However, some online retailers take the absolute p1ss with the amount of packaging. Enormous boxes and ludicrious amounts of bubble wrap for tiny items. Gamestop and House of Fraser, I’m looking at you.

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    Mute Molehead
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    Mar 24th 2018, 9:34 AM

    @Stephen Winterson: strawberries and raspberries loose in a bag? A paper punnet maybe

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    Mute William Bayle
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    Mar 24th 2018, 10:05 AM

    @Sam Alexander: the papier mache trays work very well they could use a wrapping of plastic biodegradable made from starch . Any thing else than plastic would do , we could swap plastic bags for loose veg to paper bags like we use to before

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    Mute Sam Alexander
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    Mar 24th 2018, 10:06 AM

    @Molehead
    Thanks for the comments.I do shop local when possible but I still get my veg and meat in a plastic bag, but, less than prepacked. Paper is recyclable but at what cost. Paper comes from wood and what chemicals are used when it is recycled.
    Looking at what goes into most recycling bins I think it is only fit for incineration.

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    Mute Shane Bradley
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    Mar 24th 2018, 8:35 AM

    What a daft question.

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    Mute Brendan Farrell
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    Mar 24th 2018, 9:05 AM

    @Shane Bradley: why?

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    Mute John Flood
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    Mar 24th 2018, 9:30 AM

    How hard would it be to issue a ban on non-recyclable plastics? It shouldn’t require legislation, but if it does introduce an interim ban.

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    Mute Aunt.ie
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    Mar 24th 2018, 10:45 AM

    @John Flood: Getty by that through legislation would be tough. I’m all for it, but I’m not optimistic. Also, the cost will likely just be passed onto the consumer, many of whom won’t be happy paying higher prices in the interests of a better environment.

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    Mute Aunt.ie
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    Mar 24th 2018, 10:45 AM

    @Aunt.ie: ^^getting.

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    Mute Dᴇʀᴇᴋ Wᴀʟsʜ Ⓥ
    Favourite Dᴇʀᴇᴋ Wᴀʟsʜ Ⓥ
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    Mar 24th 2018, 10:23 AM

    All food packaging should be compostable. Anything that can’t be made compostable should be fully upcyclable. “Reducing” just means slightly delaying the problems that are currently at catastrophic levels.

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    Mute john Appleseed
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    Mar 24th 2018, 8:53 AM

    They could items like egg packaging to keep fruit unbruised.

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    Mute Sam Harms
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    Mar 24th 2018, 8:59 AM

    @john Appleseed: I was thinking that but a lot of egg boxes contain polystyrene

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    Mute ianglen
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    Mar 24th 2018, 9:09 AM

    And all those useless supplements from supermarket advertising

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    Mute Molehead
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    Mar 24th 2018, 9:36 AM

    @ianglen: I like to hear about what offers are coming next week! And paper is recyclable. If you don’t like them, don’t pick one up.

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    Mute Paula Hannon
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    Mar 24th 2018, 11:04 AM

    Alternative Plastics are the way to go. The ones made out of Cornstarch and Biodegradable ones.

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    Mute Father Hody Commody
    Favourite Father Hody Commody
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    Mar 24th 2018, 9:03 AM

    Are Supermacs still wrapping their burgers in paper, and then putting the wrapped burger into one of those plastic boxes?

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    Mute David Quigley
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    Mar 24th 2018, 9:25 AM

    Yeah, but don’t leave it at the checkout. The staff have to deal with it.

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    Mute Karen Wellington
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    Mar 24th 2018, 9:29 AM

    @David Quigley: where would you suggest the packaging be left? At home in your own bins?

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    Mute john Appleseed
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    Mar 24th 2018, 9:41 AM

    @David Quigley: it’s a short term protest to highlight the amount of unnecessary packaging. We are killing our world for what exactly?

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    Mute William Bayle
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    Mar 24th 2018, 10:11 AM

    @David Quigley: well then they should put bins at check out ? If it take more staff to deal with the issue the management will realise it cost money and will find alternative ways , whole point of the protest really

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    Mute IrishLiberal
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    Mar 24th 2018, 12:11 PM

    They should reduce plastic and the plastic that is used should be plastic that is easily recycled. There are too many different types of plastic. They should be standardised down to 4-5 types and that should be it. And all of them should be recyclable . I’ve been consciously avoid plastic since January and I have to say it’s tough. I try buy more items that are loose or in jars or tins as tins and glass has a better recycling value. A lot of plastic can’t be recycled and used again around food. So it has to become something completely different and rarely do you see items saying they contain recycled plastic. There is little market for it

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    Mute Kieran Ball
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    Mar 24th 2018, 11:42 AM

    Should be legally required as part of our commitment to Kyoto Protocol

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    Mute League of shadows
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    Mar 24th 2018, 9:00 AM

    The only character who might object was one of Pat Shortt’s alter egos Cllr Maurice Hickey, campaigning to bring back the auld plastic bag.

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    Mute Billy Connelly
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    Mar 24th 2018, 8:42 AM

    Of course

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    Mute Andy
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    Mar 24th 2018, 9:32 AM

    Who would say no??

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    Mute Thomas Linehan
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    Mar 24th 2018, 12:21 PM

    It takes one to start then the others will follow

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    Mute James Keogh
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    Mar 24th 2018, 3:25 PM

    SAID “YES” but will the Supermarkets Listen, hope so.

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    Mute Ronan
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    Mar 24th 2018, 10:56 AM

    Yes absolutely the amount of plastic packaging is ridiculous .

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    Mute Brian Flavin
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    Mar 24th 2018, 9:50 AM

    Should Keep plastic cover Vegetables/fruit cos some people germ touch it.if no plastic cover as I won’t buy it

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    Mute Sean Ryan
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    Mar 24th 2018, 9:55 AM

    @Brian Flavin: or you could just wash food before you eat it.

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    Mute Karen Wellington
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    Mar 24th 2018, 9:55 AM

    @Brian Flavin: have you considered washing them before consuming them?

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    Mute john Appleseed
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    Mar 24th 2018, 10:03 AM

    @Brian Flavin: have you never thought about the conditions the fruit is kept in before it’s wrapped in plastic…pesticides, third world workforce using the fields as toilets, stored in rat filled warehouses. Christ sake, the cleanest place it lands is an Irish supermarket and FFS, Wash your fruit and veg.

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    Mute Father Hody Commody
    Favourite Father Hody Commody
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    Mar 24th 2018, 1:30 PM

    @Sean Ryan: how would you wash a loaf?

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    Mute Sean Ryan
    Favourite Sean Ryan
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    Mar 24th 2018, 3:24 PM

    @Father Hody Commody: he specified fruit and veg. Maybe read before you comment.

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    Mute Fiona Fitzgerald
    Favourite Fiona Fitzgerald
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    Mar 24th 2018, 6:10 PM

    @Father Hody Commody: A loaf is baked at high temperatures. How does putting a loaf in a plastic bag make it, or the bag, any cleaner? It only looks shiny.

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    Mute Seeking Truth
    Favourite Seeking Truth
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    Mar 24th 2018, 4:41 PM

    Today we went to the recycling centre to bring our rubbish and our recycling. We have to sort it before we put it into the appropriate bins…cardboard, bottles, paper, etc. All of the loose plastic we had that we “thought” we were recycling went straight into the bulky waste by the worker. I was shocked….and had not seen this before. I realise now that even though I am trying to do my part by recycling….all of that plastic is completely bypassing any chance of being recycled and goes straight into the landfill.

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    Mute Catherina Redmond
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    Mar 24th 2018, 12:26 PM

    It not the supermarkets they come package in plastic to the shops it is the factory’s that supply to supermarket ye need to target

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    Mute William Bayle
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    Mar 24th 2018, 12:51 PM

    @Catherina Redmond: if a group like musgraves / SuperValu turn around to such factories and tell them to stick their packaging it would be done extremely quickly . If I go to the factory with a placard : stop plastic they’d laugh at me .

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    Mute Karen Wellington
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    Mar 24th 2018, 1:42 PM

    @Catherina Redmond: the retailers will get the message from their customers (the public). The producers/suppliers will get the message from their customers (the retailers).

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    Mute Joe Phillips
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    Mar 24th 2018, 10:09 AM

    I voted ‘no’ in protest at this poll

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    Mute Jun Stone
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    Mar 24th 2018, 12:08 PM

    Surely it’s the suppliers who do all the plastic wrapping not the supermarkets. It’s also drives me mad if you just want a few of a certain item but are forced to buy multiples and then when you get home some are bashed/going rotten and are unusable aghhhh.

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    Mute Stephanie Byrne
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    Mar 24th 2018, 9:00 PM

    I have written to Dunne’s stores regarding the same thing

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    Mute Charliegrl80
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    Mar 24th 2018, 4:14 PM

    Have the cashier at the checkout remove all non recyclable plastic after scanning the items they won’t be long getting the message with long lines at the tills.

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    Mute Tara Tevlin
    Favourite Tara Tevlin
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    Mar 24th 2018, 6:24 PM

    Imagine the dopes voting NO my god!

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    Mute Gabriel Holmes
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    Mar 24th 2018, 1:34 PM

    Stupid Question . Pruducers package the items .

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    Mute John Walsh
    Favourite John Walsh
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    Mar 25th 2018, 4:14 AM

    Should be done decades ago, future generations will be horrified at us , if they are told or indeed there are many more future generations.

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    Mute John Clair
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    Mar 24th 2018, 11:00 PM

    Talk about a rhetorical poll

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    Mute Dave Walsh
    Favourite Dave Walsh
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    Mar 24th 2018, 5:16 PM

    Unfortunately the side effect of no packaging is food waste…more loose produce, bread gets dumped by stores than packaged..if producers could come up with another way thats as cheap and keep the items fresh they would…BUT then every thing would be more expensive…and then you’d see some bitching…

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    Mute Karen Wellington
    Favourite Karen Wellington
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    Mar 24th 2018, 7:11 PM

    @Dave Walsh: how about; don’t over supply?

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