Kiosk in Hessen demands 10 cents for paper bags - customer or environmental hero?

Kiosk in Hessen demands 10 cents for paper bags - customer or environmental hero?

What's going on in a small kiosk in Hesse? Recently, customers have to dig deeper into their pockets, because a fee of 10 cents is now due for certain paper bags. This measure, which is to focus on environmental protection, has caused heated discussions among the population. A sign in the kiosk clarifies the new regulation and the reactions on platforms such as Reddit are quite mixed. The users in the subjeddit "Abrittelaminin" are split: While some welcome the fee as a sensible contribution to environmental protection, critics find them inappropriate and announce that they would rather buy their buns in the supermarket in the future. A user reports on a similar experience in a restaurant, where a fee was also charged for a take-off box.

The discussion about the new regulation is as diverse as the opinions. Proponents refer to recommendations from environmental associations for a small fee on shopping bags, while some customers have already found their own solutions to escape the fee, such as bringing their own bags. It remains to be seen whether the measure will be profitable for the kiosk in the long run - especially since the competitive pressure should not be underestimated by discounter.

background for a fee on plastic bags

The current developments in Hesse are in line with a broader initiative to reduce plastic consumption. Since 2016, large companies in Germany, such as Aldi and Rewe, have started not submitting plastic bags free of charge. This measure follows from an agreement between the Federal Environment Ministry and the Trade Association of Germany, which also stabules that retailers have to collect an “appropriate fee” for plastic bags, which is not unknown to many companies in Germany. According to statistics, the average consumption of plastic bags per person in Germany is around 71 bags annually, which is below the EU average of 198 bags. The aim is to reduce this consumption to 40 bags per inhabitant by 2025.

A reason for these measures is the alarming plastic waste, which can get around 8 million tons of the sea annually. However, any alternatives such as paper bags and jute bags also have ecological advantages and disadvantages: While paper bags are biodegradable, they require more energy in the production, and jute bags can be harmful to the environment in cotton production. The calculation of the environmental balance depends on the frequency of use of these bags and the raw materials.

judge about fees and environmental protection

The topic of environmental protection and responsible use of resources remains explosive. The measure in the kiosk shows how different the views of the appropriateness of such fees are. Proponents believe in a positive effect on the environment, while others see a burden for the guests. A good knack for environmentally friendly alternatives could pay off in the future. Everyone should therefore think about their own use of plastic bags and be ready to pay for a bag if this protects the environment.

It is questionable whether a rethink will take place in the next few months. The only thing that is certain is that the dialogue about the right way to reduce plastic waste is open. It remains to be seen how things will continue in the kiosk, but one thing is certain: environmental protection is not for nothing, and the question is what that is worth to us.