Bristol Green Party - Letters - Supermarkets sweep up cash, not waste

Bristol Green Party

Supermarkets sweep up cash, not waste - Charlie Bolton, 03 June 2005

To: Bristol Evening Post

Dear Sir

Kate Borek hits the nail on the head when she points the finger of blame for rubbish at big super markets (letters, 2/6/2005). Actually, supermarkets are just one of the culprits, but a significant one nonetheless.

It is not only their packaging that is a problem. It is also the food miles they generate, and their opposition to re-use. We used to pay a deposit on bottles, and take them back. We no longer get offered the opportunity to do this . Why? Part of the reason lies in the profitability of the large stores. If they had to deal with the storage, cleaning and management of a system to reuse bottles, that becomes a cost to them (and ultimately to you). Similarly, dealing with the end-product of their packaging is also a cost.

However, Kate is wrong when she says there is no alternative to the supermarket. As a resident of Ashton Drive, she could travel to North Street and pay a visit to the excellent local Southville Deli, Ashton Fruit and Veg and Wherlocks Butchers all within 100 yards of each other at the Tobacco Factory end of North Street. Failing that she could try out the new market at the Tobacco Factory (details on their website).

Yours

Charlie Bolton
Bristol Green Party