Plastic Bag Free Hebden Bridge - plasticbagfree Hebden Bridge

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plasticbagfree Hebden Bridge - a reality?

Written by bag ladies

Free Window Stickers for all participating shops!

We have been in contact with 'We are what we do' who have some very groovy 'Plastic Aint My Bag' window stickers to see if we can buy any off them to give to our traders and they are getting back to us.. They would also like to show photos of our pbf traders on their website.. We are part of a national campaign now! (and international..)

The most up-to-date info we have is that there are 59 shops now plasticbagfree, 17 that offer a cotton/paper/ corn starch alternative to their plastic bags and 27 who are still giving out free new plastic bags for a variety of reasons...

Could we draw your attention to the fantastically informative Modbury website that may be able to change the minds of those who are not yet convinced..see the link>

But the most significant shift must be the changes in the Hebden Bridge shopper... it may not be scientific or quantifiable.. but don't you think Hebden Bridge shoppers have changed their shopping habits?! Everywhere you go you can witness how they have embraced the initiative and are going shopping prepared with their own bags. Hurray!

We hope that all traders in the town will benefit commercially from the raised profile of the town!

On 1^st September 2007 the majority of Hebden Bridge traders stopped issuing new plastic bags when goods are purchased. In an attempt to reduce household waste and environmental pollution we are encouraging all Hebden Bridge shoppers to bring their own shopping bags.

For those shoppers who forget to bring a bag there will be an alternative. These bags have the properties of a "plastic" carrier bag, but have the following advantages:

plant starch based

home compostable BUT they will cost shoppers 5p!

We are urging residents to use any remaining plastic bags to sort their recycling for Kerbside recycling collection. And recycle ALL your plastic at EKKO by the ATC on the canal tow path.

We feel passionate about making a real contribution towards reducing the level of plastic entering our soils and waterways. We want to take a small but significant step towards preserving the beautiful enviroment we live in and the world at large.

We hope you will support and join us.

^{SO, WE ARE SAYING...}

^{YES TO PAPER}
^{YES TO CORN STARCH}
^{YES TO RECYCLED PLASTIC BAGS}
^{AND YES YES YES TO ALL REUSABLE SHOPPING BAGS AND TROLLEYS!}

Last Updated ( Monday, 26 November 2007 )

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"I don't want a plastic bag thank you, I've got my own bag here"

Seminar

Sat 1^st Dec 2007

How to go plasticbagfree in your town

Modbury, Devon

The traders in Modbury, Devon, were the pioneers of plastic bag free. Please look at their site too by following the link from this site.

Message in the waves

Watch the Message in the Waves trailer

This powerful BBC documentary has triggered a strong desire to reduce the environmental impact of our waste. Plastic carrier bags are really only part of the story, but they are an item that you the consumer can easily take out of the waste stream by simply using an alternative.

BBC Look North

See the BBC Look North item for the campaign. (16 July 2007)

[Courtesy of HebWeb ]

Bag Ladies Mission Statement

The bag ladies is a not for profit community group that exists in order to assist the traders of Hebden Bridge in finding a practical alternative to plastic bags that damage the environment and contribute to climate change. The vision is for a plasticbagfree Hebden Bridge. The objectives are:

To work with Hebden Bridge traders, residents, visitors to the town and with other partners to inform people of the problems with plastic bags.
To promote practical and environmentally friendly alternatives
To conduct research into alternatives
To promote the town and its traders as a plasticbagfree area
To celebrate the towns plasticbagfree achievements

The 'bag ladies' as a group has been a useful media friendly 'vehicle' to promote this campaign.. but we do not own it! If you have strong ideas on how to take the campaign forward then please contact us . We do not wish to hold on tightly to this initiative - afterall we did not start it, we followed Modbury's lead!

- or just go ahead and make changes happen, whether as a trader or a shopper.. and good luck!

Discussion forum

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