ED’S LETTER

Since it’s Plastic Free July, I want to talk about those little plastic collectables some supermarkets hand out at the till. I’m not a fan. I understand they’re designed to appeal to your kids so they’ll beg you to shop there, which in itself is a cynical idea. But it’s the thought of all those

tiny bits of useless plastic being frantically collected only to be thrown away when the craze is over that I find really unappealing. We all know what plastic is doing to the world – why are we still doing stuff like this?

A while ago, one supermarket went into partnership with some of its suppliers to make little plastic replicas of their products so kids could build and stock their own miniature supermarkets. I totally get the appeal of this because I love tiny things and would frankly have loved a tiny supermarket of my own, but it just seems tone-deaf to what’s going on, as well as such a wasted branding opportunity.

Personally, I’d be much happier (and have a better view of all the brands concerned) if the points that I ‘earned’ shopping translated into real tinned food, blankets or toiletries from those partner/ suppliers that could be distributed to people who needed them. Those would be points I’d happily – and repeatedly – collect.

It’s hard to refuse the toys at the till, specially when your child is begging you to take them. Maybe it’s because my kids are way too old for that, or maybe it’s because it finally just seems so crazy, but I think this month I’m going to give it a bash and see how it goes.

Keep warm! Love, Suzy