UK Town Goes Plastic Bag Free
by Matthew Sparkes, London, UK 
on 05.17.07
Modbury, in Devon, has become the first town in Europe to stop using carrier bags. However, it was not due to government intervention or legislation, but a hard fought and won campaign started by local activist, Rebecca Hosking. She started single-handedly approaching and convincing store owners to stop using plastic, “I started with the traders who were my friends, suggesting to them the possibility of making Modbury plastic shopping bag-free.“ The Guardian are running an interesting article written by Hosking, explaining how she achieved what she did, “My best advice to anyone who wants their town to be free of plastic bags is that they are going to have to fight the fight themselves. You are in a far stronger position than when we did it because you now have Modbury as a success story.” The impressive thing about this is the snowball effect that took place. It started with one person who managed to convince one or two shops to change, and eventually they all did. Let's hope that this effect works from city to city as well. :: The Guardian
See also :: I'm Not an Ethical Plastic Bag :: San Francisco To Ban Plastic Shopping Bags
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What a fabulous success story. Thanks.
Same thing is happening here in canada, a small town in central canada banned the plastic bags now the government of ontario is talking about reducing the bags and possibly banning them outright in 5 years
Same thing is happening here in canada, a small town in central canada banned the plastic bags now the government of ontario is talking about reducing the bags and possibly banning them outright in 5 years
What a wonderful idea (NOT).
One of the alternatives they have is Cotton bags.
Cotton production pours billions of tons of harmful chemicals into the rivers and seas. They also chop dow huge areas of natural vegitation and forests for the plantations which endangers wildlife, the ecosystem and the weather.
Another alternative is the Bags of Change bag which also encourages users to shop ethically and sustainably. It's a bit like a loyalty card for ethical shoppers! Check out the website: www.bagsofchange.co.uk