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I’ve been out of town for a couple of months. While I was away our local supermarket, Fresh Choice on Collingwood st, has stopped supplying plastic carry bags that it still charges for, and now requires shoppers who may need one, to purchas a paper bag for 20c on top of what they have already … View moreI’ve been out of town for a couple of months. While I was away our local supermarket, Fresh Choice on Collingwood st, has stopped supplying plastic carry bags that it still charges for, and now requires shoppers who may need one, to purchas a paper bag for 20c on top of what they have already paid for the plastic bag they no longer receive. I know they are still charging for the plastic because I asked a checkout operator if an adjustment had been made to pricing in compensation. She said no, we are still paying for them. I have not checked lately the actual cost of a paper bag, back when I use to buy them for my business, about the same size as Fresh Choice are selling, they cost 1.25cents each. Fresh Choice are asking 20cents. Profiteering? You decide. Let me state here that if you do not need a plastic bag, take along you own shopping bag like our grannies use to do, that is a good thing and keep doing it.
Their reasoning is that plastic is finding its way into our water ways and the sea and causing damage. That is quite right. But is it happening to any significant extent here in Nelson. Or indeed New Zealand.
How often do you take your, so called, single use plastic bags and through them over Rocks Road in to the sea or in to the river? I don’t. Never have. Never seen it. I bet you don’t either.
So where is all this plastic coming from. International research has determined that 90%, that’s 90% of the plastic is coming from just 10 rivers around the world. Just ten. Guess what? None are in New Zealand. The Nile and the Niger and the other eight are in Asia. The Mekong, Yellow, Pearl and five other smaller rivers.
I have personally seen the amount of plastic dumped into the Mekong. It is massive. There are rafts of plastic long, deep, thick and wide floating along the banks that will eventually make its way to the sea. Yes, it needs to be stopped. Will it ever? Very unlikely. That is another story. Will ripping off shoppers at our local Fresh Choice make a difference. Not one bit. All it is doing is acting as an excuse for the owner to increase profit as detailed earlier.
On my recent trip I was in Ireland. I noticed thousand and thousands of single use plastic bags lying on the peat bogs. They are now used to cover the cut peat as it drys. Millions of them. Under the sun and in the wind they break down. Tear and fragment and blow across the bogs to the sea. Our tour guide was very proud of how these single use bags were being put to good use.
Also, the so called single use bags we are still paying for every time we shop there but no longer receiving when needed are going to have to be replaced in the community. How? By buying from the super market more plastic bags. Pushing up their profit even more.
Are dog walkers going to pick up their pet’s poo in their fingers and carry it home in their pockets to flush later. I don’t think so.
By far the biggest second use for these single use plastic bag is to line the kitchen/bathroom rubbish tins. Without single use plastic bags bought from a supermarket when you buy your shopping, you are going to have to add plastic bin liners to your shopping list thus pushing up the profit line of the super market even more.
How is this reducing the amount of plastic used? It simply is not. It is just replacing one source of plastic bags with a more expensive one.
Our local supermarket in Christchurch, a New World, tried this several years ago. They lost so much business they stopped the practice within two months returning to the normal.
How can we get Fresh Choice to stop ripping us off under the guise of ecological concern?
STOP SHOPPING THERE!
Let them see through our action, that we see through their action and are not fooled.
Clearly if you have no choice but to shop there. Elderly, don’t drive etc. Go right ahead. No one will blame you. But if you have a choice, choose to go elsewhere.
Police want to hear from anyone who may have seen this man or observed any suspicious activity in the Brook area, particularly near the intersection with Robinson Road, yesterday afternoon or evening.
At approximately 6pm on Sunday 15th July a woman disturbed an intruder in her home on Brook … View morePolice want to hear from anyone who may have seen this man or observed any suspicious activity in the Brook area, particularly near the intersection with Robinson Road, yesterday afternoon or evening.
At approximately 6pm on Sunday 15th July a woman disturbed an intruder in her home on Brook Street, Nelson. The intruder was dressed in a black top, black pants and was wearing a dark red scarf or bandana across his face.
People with information can contact Nelson police on 03 546 3840. Alternatively, people can give information anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Issued by Police Media Centre
Since 1998 AMP has dedicated more than $2.4 million towards helping over 300 everyday Kiwis realise their dreams. If you’ve got a passion you want to turn into a reality, an AMP Scholarship could help you get there. Apply today!
Do you believe there is a need for a Day Dog Care based just outside the Nelson CBD?
Would you use such a service?
Would you use it very often?
Budgies for sale. Lovely colours - assorted ages. PH 03 5458450 for more information.
Many famous people have dyslexia. Jamie Oliver, Keira Knightly, Will Smith and maybe even Albert Einstein.
In fact, 1 in 5 of us do.
But many people go their whole lives without learning how to make the most of it.
Dyslexia is a gift, but do you know how to spot it? We've created a … View moreMany famous people have dyslexia. Jamie Oliver, Keira Knightly, Will Smith and maybe even Albert Einstein.
In fact, 1 in 5 of us do.
But many people go their whole lives without learning how to make the most of it.
Dyslexia is a gift, but do you know how to spot it? We've created a little quiz that showcases what it's like having dyslexia.
See how you score. Perhaps you are one of the 20% who is lucky enough to have dyslexia!
This includes 150-200 popular movies and TV shows on DVD and VHS tapes. Buyer must pick up. Feel free to quiz me for info or phone 0273199406
Thanks!!
If you haven’t got it already, you’ll soon see your ACC invoice in your mailbox. 📬 Here’s a few things to help make sure you’ve got all the info you need:
🙂 A nifty guide to understanding your invoice: ➡ acc.nz...
🤔 Not sure why you received an invoice? ➡ acc.nz...
… View moreIf you haven’t got it already, you’ll soon see your ACC invoice in your mailbox. 📬 Here’s a few things to help make sure you’ve got all the info you need:
🙂 A nifty guide to understanding your invoice: ➡ acc.nz...
🤔 Not sure why you received an invoice? ➡ acc.nz...
😶 Have some questions about your invoice? Ask Jules our new chatbot ➡ acc.nz... (and 🤖 Look for Jules’ chat icon 🗨 bottom right of the business pages.)
🙄 Need to pay your invoice? Do it online: ➡ acc.nz...
Hi. I have a rimu stained wooden curtain rod plus 2 wooden brackets for sale in very good condition.
Diameter of rod is 33 mm; the actual width to hang curtains on is 1.85m.
Overall width of rod is 2.02m.
Selling for $20. (This size bought new is $65.00).
Please private message me or leave a … View moreHi. I have a rimu stained wooden curtain rod plus 2 wooden brackets for sale in very good condition.
Diameter of rod is 33 mm; the actual width to hang curtains on is 1.85m.
Overall width of rod is 2.02m.
Selling for $20. (This size bought new is $65.00).
Please private message me or leave a message at 03 547 9920. Thanks.
Cleaning out fishing gear rods reels etc
This saturday @ Richmond Church of Christ Community Boot Market 9-1pm
Protecting your home against winter woes is crucial when it comes to plumbing.
Master Plumbers New Zealand chief executive Greg Wallace has 6 things homeowners should consider to ensure a trouble-free chilly season.
Vote for your favourite Marvel Studios movie from Stuff Pix and enter to win 1 of 5 Ant-Man and the Wasp prize packs, including merchandise and cinema tickets.
Check out all the great superhero movies on stuffpix.co.nz/superhero-pix
Come and enjoy a finger food lunch and hear Peter and Sue Bryan, World Vision Aid and Development workers speak about their work in the field
Hospitals in the region are being emptied out and will be reduced to essential services tomorrow as thousands of nurses and healthcare workers stop work. The industrial action will run from 7am Thursday for 24 hours.
What you need to know:
• NMH will contact affected patients directly. People… View moreHospitals in the region are being emptied out and will be reduced to essential services tomorrow as thousands of nurses and healthcare workers stop work. The industrial action will run from 7am Thursday for 24 hours.
What you need to know:
• NMH will contact affected patients directly. People should come to their scheduled appointment unless they have been contacted to say their appointment is being postponed. Patients or other members of the public can also call NMH on 0800 733 372 to check the status of their appointment.
• On the day of the strike, people should still go to hospital if the matter is urgent. Dial 111 for emergencies or an ambulance.
• Visit the Medical and Injury Centre in Nelson and Urgent Care Centre in Blenheim for after-hours care
• Otherwise, people should visit their GP or a local pharmacy.
• Free medical advice is available 24/7 at 0800 611 116.
The NMH website will have the most up to date notices about the strikes and effects on healthcare services.
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