What I wrote but didn't post

Written on 19th Feb

solution 1: we change plan
1) scenerio: bakeries bag every single bun into individual plastic bags. all the individual bags will then be put into a big plastic bag.

idea:
step 1: rather than individual plastic bags for buns, use a cardboard box and or the plastic thing carrefour is using. it lessens the materials used anyway. this is for customers buying x or more buns. people buying lesser than x buns can still use the small transparent plastic bag.

step 2: educate people bagging buns on how to squeeze buns into cardboard box.

reasons:
1)the small plastic bag will be oily after the bread is consumed. also, it would have absolutely no use due to its size. there is no way anyone will use the plastic bag to bag domestic waste. 1 one= 1 plastic bag, this is a huge amount of waste!!
2) if the number of buns that can be fitted into the box is determined by the area of its base, then more materials will be used. the buns are light, they will not be squashed if placed one on top of the other.

argument: the plastic bag is so that consumers will not dirty their hands.
counter argument: most people buying x or more buns are most probably going to eat them at home. they can easily wash their hands.

what we have to research on:
1) plastic bag vs cardboard/plastic container. how many buns can be put into the container without squashing buns. x will be that number.
2) i made some assumptions. we can go to a bakery for an hour and then ask customers who buy many buns whether they are eating it at home.


solution 2:
for clinics, sell cloth bags to patients. newly sealed medcine bottles will not leak. put up big posters encouraging patients to use the cloth bags on their next visit.

solution 3:
every chinese new year, millions of red packets are used and then thrown away. perhaps we could collect them and send them to be recycled into new year cards.