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It’s a strange old condition affecting cooperative society shoppers, characterized by insisting on excessive bag use, even if it means putting 10 small items in 10 separate bags.
In recent years, this syndrome has spread to co-op workers, who now insist on plastic separation, and they’re surprised if you ask otherwise!
It doesn’t matter whether the shopper’s house is next door to the co-op or in Samarkand.
Despite official and public warnings from the Environment Public Authority and Kuwait Environment Protection Society and others about plastic hazards, and initiatives encouraging people to use biodegradable bags, this doesn’t eliminate the need to reduce their use and adopt sustainable alternatives.
The Co-op Bags Syndrome has negative health, national, and financial impacts. How?
In many countries, shoppers put everything in one bag, and no diseases have spread from “mixing” items
Health-wise, product packaging technology has advanced significantly in recent decades, making it very difficult for product contents to leak, unless glass breaks.
In many countries, shoppers put everything in one bag, and there have been no reported cases of fainting, exhaustion, or death from “mixing” items. Therefore, shoppers are health-safe from mixing hazards, if any exist.
Nationally, we’re a people who daily declare “love for Kuwait.” So where’s the concern about national environmental pollution from bag waste?
Even if plastic is made from “environmentally friendly materials,” the bag manufacturing process itself usually produces pollutants. At minimum, there’s fuel consumed in generating electricity for the factory.
This brings us to the final point – the financial aspect, which personally affects the shareholder.
It’s in the interest of cooperative society shareholders and boards of directors to increase revenues and reduce expenses to increase annual profits.
Does excessive bag use reduce expenses and increase year-end profits, regardless of the cost per bag?
Just as shareholders pay for “free” items and some promotions, they also pay for bags from their own pockets, either through profit deductions or price increases at the cashier. Nothing is free.
We believe and recommend economizing on plastic bags, and perhaps using reusable types, as they’re better for the environment, the country, and your pocket.
