We are volunteers of a Youth Sustainable Development group aged 16 and 17 from Dublin.  Our aim is to get supermarkets to reduce plastic in their stores immensely.   
In 2016 the world produced 320 million tons of plastic. This would not be a problem if plastic decayed like a dead plant. However, plastic does not. It only breaks into smaller particles which then emit toxins. Those small particles are later eaten by fish or are in the soil which our cows eat, whether they are slaughter cows or for dairy.  

 There are more plastic particles in the sea than stars in the galaxy.  By 2030 scientist have predicted that the weight of plastic will weigh more than fish in the sea. According to the National Geographic 73 percent of beach litter is plastic. This has a bad impact on marine life. It kills millions of sea animals each year. One out of many examples of this: a dead pregnant sperm whale washed up on a beach in Sardinia with 22 kilograms in its stomach.   
Scientists say that we consume microplastics in the fish we eat.  In a study they have found that microplastics can pass through the intestines into the blood and organs and that microplastics in the air can cause the cells in the lungs to produce inflammatory chemicals. Another found out that Bisphenol A or BPA can interfere with the reproductive hormones. We all are being  affected by this.  
We have seen packaging on different items in our local supermarkets, such as bananas. They already have their own natural and compostable packaging on them: their skin. In one of our local supermarkets you can buy a pack of four croissants in a plastic tray inside a plastic bag. The tray is unnecessary, we do not need it, nor do we want it. 
  
If supermarkets were to ban plastic in their shops the amount of plastic produced will decreased hugely.  On average Irish people produce 61kg per year of plastic waste alone.  This is a shocking amount of plastic. Only a small fraction of this will be recycled, while the rest will end up in landfills or in the sea.  

We would like to see that supermarkets will: 
1. Introduce bulk sections for both foods and for hair and body care. 
 
2. Have a system for the salad section where you serve yourself, that we can bring our own containers instead of using the plastic containers provided. By bringing your own container you won’t be charged extra for the weight or get a small discount off it. 
 3. Introduce rental reusable-This where if you forget your reusable bag at home that you can rent a reusable bag and once you return to the shop you will get the  money back which you paid.  
 
4. Allow customers to bring in their own containers for meat, seafood and other prepared food. 

We understand that for supermarkets to become completely plastic free it is not overnight job, but we would like them to consider reducing their plastic usage and to take steps to be more conscious about the environment. 
Please sign this petition to get supermarkets go plastic free.   
Thank you,  
 Caoimhe and Arshdeep