Comments on: Plastic Bags Around Delivered Newspapers

By: Pahrumpian

Pahrumpian — Thu, 25 Dec 2008 01:35:12 +0000

I am a carrier in Pahrump, NV and have to say that customers leaving used bags for me to pick up is nothing but a nuisance. Time is of the essence when delivering papers and it’s just too hard to stuff the newspapers into loose bags (bags not on a cardboard ream).

Many customers probably aren’t aware of the fact that bags come on a cardboard holder, 100 per, that you hook onto something so you can stuff papers into the bags fast. You’d be surprised how much faster it is to bag the newspapers than if the bags were loose.

“I’ll risk it” could be a good option as I often bag papers when there is a 20% chance or higher of rain and often it doesn’t rain. Then I’ve just wasted money on those rain bags which cuts into my bottom line.

Sealed tubes like the banks use would be a problem as it would take much too long to stuff the papers inside them, not to mention the amount of room they would take up in your car. Many carriers just don’t have that kind of extra room in their cars to fit all those tubes.

We also don’t have the extra time most of these suggestions would take to institute. Even if we had the time, we are independent contractors and so the longer it takes to deliver the papers the less we make as an hourly wage.

And I can tell you delivering newspapers isn’t any great paying job. Most of us do it for love of the job. Getting up each morning and driving around in the fresh morning air with little or no traffic to speak of and being your own boss with no one looking over your shoulder and the usually unseen customer is why most of us love this job.

By: Marissa

Marissa — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 23:09:46 +0000

I am what they call a Zone Manager with a newspaper, basically I am the manager of two counties.
Our newspaper does use biodegradable bags that the carriers buy from the company. We also have rubber bands that can be purchased, but most do chose the polybag because as the two carriers stated here, customers do call when there is dew that has called a paper to get wet.
There is too many chances a carrier takes once a paper is out their window, to add to those chances of a wet paper.
Delivery service is huge to a carrier who is out there to supplement their income, they do not want to lose more profit. Calling your carrier and asking them if they would like for you to save the bags to be reused, is a wonderful practice.
We have also reduced the size of our paper, cutting the cost of newsprint/paper. We strive to be environmentally wise as this industry can be and there are newspaper tubes that they sell lids for them, but pretty much a waste of money.
Speaking of money, it is the holidays, have you thought to tip your newspaper carrier this season?

By: Lisa S

Lisa S — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 20:45:54 +0000

Hi everyone! I also am a carrier and I deliver to close to 1000 customers on Sunday. I use bags because they are the easiest and fastest way to get my customers their morning paper. I also recycle the bags. I reuse bags every chance I get. Where we live the bags cost us! The paper company does not buy them for us. Please consider calling you paper carrier and see if they can reuse them. My guess is that if they are paying for the bags themselves they will welcome the help. Also, since I deliver in the morning I deal with sprinkler systems, rain, snow, and the occasional dog. Bags are the best bet in my case!

By: Peggy

Peggy — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 23:16:04 +0000

Melissa, thanks for your perspective from the carrier.

By: Melissa S

Melissa S — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 19:35:22 +0000

I deliver the news to 700 homes each night. I use bags. Why – because if I don’t customers complain of wet papers from even just the lightest dew. In the poast I tried rubber bands. this did not work either. I get charged by the paper company 2 dollars per complaint so if I get one complint it cost me the delivery fee I get paid of 14 papers. I bag to keep complaints down. The easiest way for me to deliver would just be to put the paper inthe tube as is. The easiest way for customers to stop carriers from using bags would be to request it from the carrier and then never ever again complain of a wet paper.

By: Peggy

Peggy — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 22:56:20 +0000

Hi Jennifer. Glad you liked the idea. It might be difficult to implement because of habit, but not impossible!

Rebecca, I’ve wondered if they could really reuse the standard bags. It seems like they’d get dirty and tear easily, but I’m not sure.

By: Rebecca

Rebecca — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 22:45:55 +0000

I don’t think a reusable newspaper bag would need to be anything fancy. They could reuse the ones already in existence if they just had a system for collecting them. I get one free paper a week, which comes in a plastic bag. They are pretty sturdy little bags!

By: Jennifer Doucette

Jennifer Doucette — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 19:15:17 +0000

I like the idea of I will risk it. We live where in the winter it rains tons.. but our front deck is covered and that is where they ‘throw’ the newspaper.

Thanks

By: Peggy

Peggy — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 08:37:52 +0000

Hil, that does sound like a crazy job you had! Glad you survived. I worked at a newspaper too long ago, but as the person who typed the weddings and announcements, etc. I’d get suckered into accepting late wedding announcements (and work late to get them in).

As far as the reusable bag you mentioned, I’m picturing maybe a tough material like the stuff bank bags are made of. It could have a zipper, maybe. Oh, we should invent it! : )

By: Hil

Hil — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 02:49:29 +0000

More like open top canvas bags that get lugged around in the rain for blocks. I suppose that could change, but I have a feeling it would be very hard to keep papers dry without a bag of some kind, and unfortunately most customers aren’t going to accept a decline in quality because of the environment.

Seriously, you don’t know how nasty some people get when their paper is late .. or wet .. or (just go ahead and run for cover) their coupons are missing. lol It’s the only job I’ve been physically threatened over, but it’s also the only job where a customer has offered to take me on a cruise for solving his problem, so I guess it evens out. :p

From what I’ve read, biodegradable newspaper bags are not significantly more expensive, but I just read that they may not be all that great for th environment either. So, scrap that idea, but maybe a truly reusable bag that could protect the paper from moisture. It would be more complicated, for sure, but not impossible.