Carry-a-bag scheme launched

May 23 2008 by David Holmes, Chester Chronicle

CHESTER City Council and Friends of the Earth have joined forces to reduce the amount of plastic bags used by shoppers.

A staggering 150 million plastic bags are used in the UK every week so the ‘carry-a-bag’ campaign aims to reduce this figure by encouraging people to carry reusable bags, instead of collecting a new bag every time they shop.

Funding from the Cheshire Waste Partnership has helped develop the pilot scheme, which is being supported by retailers and students from Chester University.

Feedback gathered from the pilot will be used to roll-out the initiative to more businesses later this year.

Similar campaigns have proved successful in areas such as Llangollen, which has made huge strides towards becoming plastic bag-free.

Nationally, many major supermarkets and fashion retailers are now selling hemp and cotton bags or charging for carrier bags in a bid to be more eco-friendly.

Some shops have chosen to only provide recyclable, paper bags due to the negative effects that plastic carriers can have on the environment.

The vast majority of plastic bags are not reused and end up in landfill sites or as litter, where they will remain for at least 500 years. They also pose a great risk to wildlife if they get into seas and rivers.

Councillor Neil Ritchie, city council executive member for environment, said: “We have been handing out free ‘Bags for Life’, which are stronger and more durable than carrier bags. We’ve also been encouraging people to re-use any plastic bags they have instead of throwing them away.

“Shoppers in towns and cities across the country are keen to see plastic bags replaced with greener alternatives so I am delighted that our retailers are setting such an excellent example.”

Anna Steele of Friends of the Earth said: “The launch went extremely well. It’s important to reduce and reuse – if you get a plastic carrier bag, remember to keep it for next time you go shopping.”