'progress' which hinders!

Wonkylegs

have you noticed how certain supermarkets are trying to highlight how much they are helping the environment
by lowering their fuel costs
by cutting the weight of stuff they need to transport?
by cutting the packaging needed?

well yesterday I found out that all this 'progress' can mean a step back in time as far as accessability.

I use olive oil and havebought the same brand for a long time. It is in a glass bottle, which means I can pick it up without worrying that I will inadvertantly sqeeze the contents all over myself and the kitchen with my dodgy hands.

So ...... look on the shelf and find that this particular supermarket, in their rush to be green, have changed so that all the general olive oil is in flimsy plastic bottles that were too squeezy for me even when full and lidded!

Only the extra virgin (and extra pricey!) olive oil was in glass bottles - bet they'll be next!

I probably should have gone to customer services and complained, but I didn't think about it until afterwards.

I've had it with all this 'progress'!

not long ago another supermarket stopped sellign tinned evaporated milk in favour of tetra-pac cartons. I get more over the floor than I get in my dish with these, and I can wash out and recycle tins ..... but have to throw away the cartons as they don't recycle them round here.

but of course it uses less energy to transport so that is their excuse!

argh!!!!!! when will they realise that accessibility is about so much more than whether someone can get in with a wheelchair!

Wonkylegs

sorry folks - that turned into a bit of a rant but I'm feeling much calmer now!

off to make a soothing cuppa and chill for a while .........

hugs to all ((((((((((((((((()))))))))))))))))))))))))

kathbee

HI Wonky

How you doing at the mo?

I agree with you re the progress thing.

I often write and complain to manufacturers
to to tell them about their new packaging,
new bottle shapes etc.
I usually say
so you have a whizz kid designer who doesnt
have a clue what its like to struggle and
does no one consider people with disabilities, -
it seems no they dont.

Dont blame you for feeling so strongly about it.

Kath xx

frogmorton

Hi wonky
Glad you feel better! I should think you do and quite right too! those tetra packs are flimsy and not really that recyclable especially at the moment when the value of waste has plummeted.
Tell 'em that's what I think!
Take care
Toni x

skezier

Hi Wonky,

Add in all the EU regulations and it really gets silly! I know its a nuisance but could you get someone to decant the oil into something you are able to use? Its not right you have to but its all I can think of that may help..........I have avoided the EU reg rant...... for me its especially Microtil....... But I am not going to rant! x

Hi Kath,

Do they ever answer your letters? I did it once over the stupid hard to open feed bags but they didn't bother to get back to ma at all. Hope your ok? Luv Cris

suzster

i once wrote to aptimil, they makes milk powder for babies, they changed the packaging and it was really hard to open, in fact i spilt nearly a whole tub (about £6 worth) because i dropped it. they responded by saying sorry, sending me a voucher for a new tub and a little cuddly polar bear for sarah, she was obviously a tiny 2 month old at the time but enjoyed chewing on her toy!!


i've been thinking recently about complaining to the makers of female products, they have redesigned them but i find it impossible to open them, but now all the shops own brands have changed there packaging to, so were as i used to be able to buy a certain chemists own make, now i struggle with whichever i buy, but the worst part is that the time of month i need them usually causes a flare up so it's become more of an issue now, grrr!!!

i do think these big companies should look into asking people with various disabilities before they redesign things, i to struggle with the tetris type packs, as for oil in plasic bottles, a few days ago i managed to lose my grip and spill a large amount all over the place, what a mess

Wonkylegs

been to second supermarket today and it was just the same all the general olive oil in plastic bottles except for the one at £6 a bottle. :shock: so will try on the market tomorrow, as they sometimes have oil in glass bottles.

The idea of transferring it to another bottle is not a daft idea at all .... in fact I have kept the bottle which I was about to throw away ... just in case I need it. hope I didn't throw the lid away :? :?

As for female products - know just what you mean!!!!! My joints always get worse then. This time will be even worse as I am really missing the MTX. My poor hubby will be taking cover and fitting earplugs!

I think I may well write to the supermarkets. They are the ones who will have been pushing for this, otherwise there would be a range available. I will explain why, and also how inconsiderate it is to their less able customers (who after all are welcomed with open arms into most supermarkets) that they have choce taken away from themselves. Not sure it will do any good but if I don't then I can't really complain can I? :roll:

mash65

i got extra virgin olive oil in a glass bottle @£2.49 this wk at A..IS
the foriegn shop. 750ml.
hope thats a help if theres 1 near you.debsx

livinglegend

Olive oil drizzlers are available on ebay.co.uk. Just type it into the search bar at the top.

We started to use one about a year ago, much lighter and easier to control than a plastic or glass bottle which as you mentioned could slip out of your hands.

Joseph 8)

joyful164

Do you have an Aldi or a Lidl near you? I find them extremely good and they do a really good Extra Virgin Oil for around £2.49. Most oil except Sunflower are in bottles. I think Aldi tend to stick to the same kind of manageable packaging that works for us because they don't waste money on trying to change it

joyful