Categories: ethics
Tags: Rant, Environment
Date: 04 November 2006 13:44:32
Yesterday I went to Tescos to stock up on food, and as usual, when I came to the till, I opened my rucksack to pack the food into it. The cashier then asked if I had a clubcard, and I said 'yes, why? do you need it now?'. She assured me she didn't need it now, she was just wondering. So, I continued to pack up my shopping. And once I'd packed and paid for everything, I examined my receipt, only to realise that she'd given me '2 green points'. I was really chuffed - I got green points!!!! But then I thought for a moment and realised that if I can get green points for doing it that time, I should have got green points all the other times I've done it!
Dave pointed out the annoyance of their green points a few weeks ago, because he too never received green points for not using a plastic bag. On their publicity, it said that you had to re-use an old plastic bag, which was fine, but what about it you don't use any plastic bags?! If you only use rucksacks and/or bags for life (which get re-used)?! I took the opportunity over on Daves blog to rant about this apparent ridiculousness. I was hoping to find the time to contact Tescos, to say 'well done for being ecofriendly, but why can't I get green points when I don't use any plastic bags?!?!' But now, it appears that I can actually get clubcard points for not using a single plastic bag. And it is annoying that I haven't been given them before.
I am perfectly aware that Tescos, and other big multinational companies use such schemes as clubcard points to control their customers and encourage them to spend even more money in their stores. But I do have to give them some credit on the green points scheme - at least they are making *some* effort to be ecofriendly. Or at least, they would be if their cashiers knew enough about it, and actually gave you the points!
Apologies for the lack of posts recently. I am still alive. Just a bit busy.