Useful Links

See also links below to shops and store that are reducing plastic bag usage.

As the campaign to ban plastic bags gathers momentum, here is a Feb 2008 snapshot of how countries around the world are tackling the issue from BBC News,

This December 2007 report from the London Assembly Environment Committee "calls on the Government to introduce a national levy on all free throw-away shopping bags to reduce their environmental impact. London Councils’ proposal to ban the distribution of free shopping bags is a welcome measure, however the report finds a national levy, similar to the one introduced in the Republic of Ireland, is a more effective and efficient means to cut the number of bags issued by retailers." Much useful supportive data in the report, which can be accessed from this webpage.

What should happen to all the waste plastic that already exists + all the waste plastic that we throw away every day?

What should I do with old plastic carrier bags? http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/nov/08/plastic-bags-recycle-lucy-siegle?intcmp=239

Project Kaised "bringing together new technologies, innovations, and capabilities that can both help us clean some of the plastic debris from our ocean, as well as prevent it from entering in the first place..." More at http://www.dailygalaxy.com/my_weblog/2010/09/harvesting-the-paficic-trash-vortex-for-fuel.html

Should we be turning plastic waste into diesel to run our cars on? See Daily Telegraph, 8/11/10: "Sita to turn plastic into diesel to power vehicles - Old carrier bags, yoghurt pots and TV dinner packaging will soon be making enough fuel to power 5,000 British white vans – in Europe's first plastic-to-diesel plant..."

Electrolux are making vacuum cleaners - maybe it's just greenwash...

Should we make an island out of all that plastic floating in the Pacific? Would it be a nice place to live?

Should we be using waste, including plastic waste to make energy, in the form of heat and electricity? See Wikipedia for an overview.

"Taking tactics from Big Tobacco’s playbook, the [plastic] industry engages in bully tactics, politician buys and wide-scale misinformation campaigns meant to confuse the public and turn truth to speculation. Big Plastic is big money and survives regulatory scrutiny by creating big spin. Because of slashed budgets to regulatory agencies, little private-sector money for watchdogging industry, and a lazy mainstream press that simply regurgitates its claims, the petrochemical industry goes largely unchecked. Here are some of the biggest whoppers..." From the 5Gyres Institute (http://5gyres.org/)

by Charles Moore

"Our vision is to witness plastic pollution decline in the environment until it is no longer found in the world’s oceans. Our mission is to conduct research and communicate about the global impact of plastic pollution in the world’s oceans and employ strategies to eliminate the accumulation of plastic pollution in the 5 subtropical gyres."

These photographs of albatross chicks were made just a few weeks ago on Midway Atoll, a tiny stretch of sand and coral near the middle of the North Pacific. The nesting babies are fed bellies-full of plastic by their parents, who soar out over the vast polluted ocean collecting what looks to them like food to bring back to their young. On this diet of human trash, every year tens of thousands of albatross chicks die on Midway from starvation, toxicity, and choking.

Where much of our plastic waste ends up.

MCS long term impacts of plastic bags in the marine environment - August 2004 at http://www.mcsuk.org/downloads/policy/coastal_polln/MCS_Long_Term_Impacts_of_Plastic_Bags_In_the_Marine_Environment_(Aug_2004).doc

United Nations Environment Programme Regional Seas Programme

"Beyond guilt's horizons a plastic invasion fleet gathers", Catherine Cheung, June 14, 2008, Brisbane Times

Planet Ark's plastic bag campaign

A short film about plastic-bag-free Modbury, with links to lots of other green / anti-plastic videos

"Hawai‘i -Message in the Waves" is the film that inspired Modbury. From the BBC Natural History Unit, it looks at some of the environmental challenges facing the people and wildlife of the Hawaiian Islands.

"Plastic Planet: The Curse of the Carrier Bag", a short film about plastic bags, Director & Producer, Petica Watson Site operational soon

An innovative art project by Lou McCurdy, highlighting the damaging effects plastic debris has on our oceans and marine life.

Greener Upon Thames is campaigning to convince the Olympics committee to Ban the Bag. It's been claimed that the 2012 event will be the 'greenest Olympics ever' - so let's hold them to their promise.  

"to let the government know that it's time to take action against plastic bags. Ultimately we'd love an outright ban - but will take a LEVY to get the message out! Plastic bags are smothering our beautiful planet & it's time to make them extinct..."

Ask your MP to sign EDM 814 on excessive packaging (check deadline and signatories first).

Petition calling for a tax of 10p on each plastic bag issued, to be spent explicitly on environmental projects

Petitions on the Downing Street website about waste, recycling or plastic bags can be accessed here,or you can start your own.

Government guidance and resources on plastic bags, including some useful posters for retailers.

Master Environmental Assessment (MEA) on Single Use and Reusable Bags Green Cities California (GCC) A thorough and interesting assessment of the environmental cost of various materials for bags.

25 reasons to use a reusable bag and make the next plastic bag you throw out your last!

Due to the increasing number of compostable packaging and plastics products in the UK market, the Association for Organics Recycling is working with a number of stakeholders including the UK Renewable Packaging Group (co-ordinated by the National Non-Food Crops Centre) and WRAP towards establishing a 'home compostable' certification service and certfication mark (logo) for the UK. Currently, if a product claims it is 'compostable', this claim refers to industrial compostability unless it has been certified 'home compostable' by Vinçotte and displays their 'OK Compost Home' logo. http://www.organics-recycling.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=110:home-compostable-packaging-and-plastics&catid=40:packaging-a-certification&Itemid=76

You can check the Fairtrade credentials of bag suppliers at “the website of the Fairtrade Foundation, home of the FAIRTRADE Mark, the only independent guarantee of a better deal for Third World producers.”

A US website with lots useful information and stats

The Guardian's environmental section includes up-to-date news and features on plastic bags

Lots of information and discussion for plastic bag campaigners

Waste & Resources Action Programme - one of WRAP's aims is "the removal from the waste stream of at least three million additional tonnes of materials"

Fairpack is hoping to supply biodegradable plastic bags, recycled paper bags and cotton bags to small retailers at an affordable price.

WRAP research study on Carrier Bag Usage And Attitudes, key findings. Read some extracts in Useful Information) Full report at http://www.wrap.org.uk/downloads/CarrierBagUsageFull.3722cd41.pdf

Scottish Executive, 2005: Environment Group Research Report on Proposed Plastic Bag Levy - Extended Impact Assessment (examines environmental impact of alternatives as well)

UK retailers sign up to cut the environmental impact of carrier bags (Defra press release, 28 Feb 2007)

“...the website of the UK government for its citizens, providing information and online services for the public”, including some info and advice on plastic bags. For beginners only! See also http://actonco2.direct.gov.uk/actonco2/home/campaigns/Waste-campaign.html

It's not our impression that there is a shortage of shopping bags in the world, and we suspect that most shoppers have at least one and the issue is to do with remembering and using them. But if you think your customers or supporters need a bag here are some suppliers.

Our current favourites - an excellent range of eco-cotton, canvas and jute fair traded bags from India, printed in Sheffield: "It is our mission to change the nation’s habit for using plastic bags, which harm the environment with re-usable, cloth bags. It starts by offering businesses the chance to reduce the overall environmental impact of their carrier bags through choosing to Bag It Don’t Bin It"

How big is your bag-for-life mountain? Bags for life were meant to do away with all those nasty plastic bags. But do we now have too many of them? Guardian Monday 18 January 2010 http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/green-living-blog/2010/jan/18/bags-for-life-mountain

Importer of jute and canvas bags, will take small orders of 500.

A not for profit business based in Bristol, making high quality reusable shopping bags from reclaimed and recycled material. The project supports local women to learn new skills and earn a fair wage. Totes can be printed with a design on one side, with colourful reclaimed fabric on the other. Also available hessian shoppers which can't currently be printed. Contact them for further info or particlar requirements.

Sell printed bags for the retail & promotional trade

Importer of ethical, eco-friendly, biodegradable, climate neutral jute bags, and supplier to many high street stores

As used in Modbury

Jute/hessian bags for bulk orders

Printed cotton bags to order

Offer a range of cotton bags, inc organic and coloured

Canvas bags

Recommended by another anti-plastic-bag campaign as they offer cotton bags with shorter handles, something some shoppers ask for.

Many websites and charities now sell jute, cotton and other long-life shopping bags, so this is just a small selection. Some bags are more organic and ethically produced than others - the choice is yours. Many shops and supermarkets now also stock similar bags.

"Chic, inexpensive and compact, Envirosax® carry the message of re-use to a world ready for a brighter ecological future. Tested for strength & safety. Super strong, holds 44lbs. Fully washable - won't fade. Super convenient & water-resistant. Fashionable & fun - a great gift idea! Solution to one-use plastic bags" "... aside from being convenient, stylish and ethically made, each bag can potentially save the use of 6,000 plastic bags over its lifetime!"

for Greenpeace's "little green shopping bag"

In their Harvest series, Keen sell bags made out of recycled rice sacks, with buckles made from cans.

Offer a range of bags and other products imported from rural India, wholesale as well as retail.

Web-based shop for all things useful, including long-life bags and baskets made of wicker, organic string or recycled plastic, as well as compostable bags for rubbish.

A charity that manufactures and sells bags made of recycled bottle tops, providing income for poor people locally.

Sisal baskets woven by a women's co-operative in Kenya

Use these organic hemp-cotton bags and get discounts on local, organic and Fairtrade goods at participating stores.

As used in Modbury, and recommended by another anti-plastic-bag campaign: the larger of their bags “which is very sturdy and good quality”.

Fair-trade bags and baskets made in Bangladesh

On-line retailer of a range of 100% cotton bags, singly or in sets.

Large durable bags, designed to fit into supermarket trolleys, some made of cotton or canvas

New company DeWeNe (Designs we need) offer a “Hook and Go” shopping trolley

Results of a Swedish trial project on using cornstarch bags for collection of compostable waste

Information about biodegradable packaging and bioplastics and biodegradable or compostable film/bags

"Green Gate Bio Packaging supplies eco-friendly disposable food packaging products to a wide range of customers throughout Europe." Packaging is made of recyclable, biodegradable and compostable materials such as paper (sustainably produced) or cornstarch 207 Westbourne Avenue Gateshead NE8 4NR Tel: +44 0191 477 3473 Mobile: +44 07976 274756

Source of compostable bags and films, some made from potato starch

Supplier of cornstarch bags (England and Wales only)as used in plastic-bag-free Modbury Comet Road Moss Side Industrial Estate Leyland Lancashire PR26 7PF UK Tel: +44 1772 641 348 Fax: +44 1772 621 065 Email: biobag@btconnect.com

Information about biodegradable packaging and bioplastics and biodegradable or compostable film/bags,with links to relevant suppliers and services.

"Ecosac distribute a range of biodegradable and compostable products such as carrier bags, sacks, bin liners and wheelie bin liners... For over 6 years our small family company, Ecosac Ltd, has been supplying carrier bags, certified fully compostable, as the alternative to nasty plastic bags. They are made with GM-free cornstarch - industrial grade, not taken from the food chain and grown on redundant land in the EU."

PolyBio starch bags made from potato starch (100% renewable,sustainable and made from a waste product) but so far only for waste

Suppliers of biodegradable and compostable (corn-starch) products made from renewable and sustainable resources - bin-liners and carrier bags

Supplier of corn starch products (but possibly non UK)

Suppliers of biodegradable and compostable products made from renewable and sustainable resources

Other green / plastic bag projects and campaigns

"...the place to find out why you should remember the bag, and what rewards await you if you do. Make sure you check in before you hit the shops, and see why you should remember the bag."

Why and how free shopping bags should be removed from London’s shops - a statement from the London Assembly Environment committee, December 2007

Recently started in next-door Richmond, Greener upon Thames campaigns to "ditch the plastic bag" across the various villages of the borough of Richmond - and now we are working with them, sharing ideas and activities and extending "Greener upon Thames" to include the borough of Kingston.

A forum for lots of local campaigns and campaigners, a very useful exchange of information and experience.

The website of Modbury, the first UK town to become plastic bag free

World asks town that banned the plastic bag: how can we do it too?(Guardian, May 12 2007)

Plastic bag free campaign website of Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire.

Findings from a ‘Choose to Reuse’ bags trial in Bristol and Edinburgh.

Scottish Executive, 2005: Environment Group Research Report on Proposed Plastic Bag Levy - Extended Impact Assessment

"Gorilla in the Greenhouse is an action-packed animated web show that inspires kids to take real-world steps towards a healthier environment."

How to make schools more stimulating places and reduce the environmental impact of the school

WRAP's resources for schools including information and advice from how to get started with recycling to ideas for fun ways of linking recycling and waste into the curriculum

Sociable "guerrilla bagging" - how to make and distribute cotton bags, alone or in a sociable sewing group.

Photographer Barbara Laws went out and about in Norwich town centre to find out what people are using instead of plastic carrier bags.

A knitting pattern for bags – turn your old plastic bags into a new stronger shopper!

If everyone lived as we do in Kingston we'd need 3 planet Earths to support us!

Find out how what your eco-footprint is and many planets you'd need, and "how you can live better, save money and reduce your impact on the environment. After calculating your impact you'll get a personal action plan and lots of advice and useful local links.

Many independent stores and chains do now have environmental policies which include reducing their use of throw-away plastic carrier bags - including the Tate Gallery shops, which charge, and cosmetics chain Lush, which uses only paper and recycles containers. Some more examples below. It's a start, maybe...

Holland & Barrett have sound policies on packaging and recycling, including this good news: "On 1st January 2010 we commit to having NO PLASTIC BAGS policy in our stores and ensure that all bag for life products, including cotton and Jute will be cost neutral to ensure they are affordable to our customers."

Charge for all standard plastic carrier bags and sell two types of 100% recycled plastic ‘bags for life’ as well as a durable cotton bags and a sustainable Juco (cotton and jute) bag. All profits made are donated to the Woodland Trust. T K Maxx has reduced their use of bags by a whopping 70% and has raised over £100,000 - the equivalent of ten thousand trees. Good for T K Maxx!

Lidl charges for carrier bags. "We also encourage customers to recycle their bags. This helps to protect the environment."

Press release on Kingston shops and traders helping towards a plastic-bag-free Kingston and earning certificates.

includes policies and pledges on packaging and bags.

Supermarket chiefs in the news for opposing Government action on plastic bags, especially the threat of a bag tax.

The Telegraph confirms what some plastic-bag watchers have observed – that M&S are getting round their pledge to charge for plastic bags (and in any case the pledge only applies to food departments): plastic-bag-watchers have seen M&S staff insisting that shoppers take plastic bags in other departments, and offering small plastic bags instead of one large one in the food department!

TTK is local response to the twin challenges of climate change and peak oil. See TTK's current events at http://transitiontowns.org/Kingston-upon-Thames/Events. Thank you to TTK volunteers who've made cloth bags, leafletted, and helped on Greener Kingston stalls.

A green-themed May in Kingston, with events and activities putting environmental and sustainability issues firmly in the spotlight. Paint the Town Green has been running for three years and is now the biggest environmental event in Kingston. In 2009 it will run from Friday 1 May until Thursday 28 May and will feature a whole host of community events that aim to entertain, educate and inform. The festival has come about thanks to a joint effort by Kingston Council and a local organisations interested in highlighting environmental issues, including Towards a Plastic-Bag-Free Kingston.

UnLtd, which provided funding for this campaign, "is a charity which supports social entrepreneurs - people with vision, drive, commitment and passion who want to change the world for the better. We do this by providing a complete package of funding and support, to help these individuals make their ideas a reality."

Some striking facts and figures about waste and recycling in the UK

Table detailing where materials collected from Kingston kerbside collections and Villiers Road Civic Amenity Site are taken to be recycled.

BBC R4 Today programme, 11/7/08, 0735 With the 'waste wars' that often make headlines in this country, environment analyst Roger Harrabin visits Kamikatsu, a south-east Japanese island where there are no waste collections at all. Listen at http://news.bbc.co.uk/today/hi/today/newsid_7501000/7501421.stm

Waste & Resources Action Programme (WRAP) works in partnership to encourage and enable businesses and consumers to be more efficient in their use of materials and recycle more things more often.

Useful information on recycling including “Can it be recycled?” on all kinds of materials

Help and advice on all aspects of recycling at home, at school and in the workplace

A "Green Guide" to reducing, reusing and recycling, with links to lots of useful suppliers

Not much to do with plastic bags, but "freegling" or "freecycling" is a great way to find good homes for unwanted stuff and keeping it out of landfill. It's also a great way to find materials to make lon-life recycled cloth bags!

“The UK's leading authority on plastics waste management, providing expertise and guidance to a wide range of clients across the plastics supply, use and disposal chain. Recoup is built on a network of members and associated organisations across all sectors involved in plastics manufacture, use, disposal and recycling.”

Government advice on the environment and recycling.

How to turn your town plastic bag-free in nine steps Sylvia Rowley answers questions on how and why we should rid our towns of the plastic bag plague. From the Ecologist, part of the Guardian Environment Network, Thursday 16 April 2009

We throw away ten billion bottles a year; we have GOT to think again, says environment minister, 16 February 2008 http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-515238/We-throw-away-billion-bottles-year-GOT-think-says-environment-minister.html

PLASTIC STATE OF MIND - great song!

Another great song about plastic bags.

Lucy Seigle's weekly column in the Observer magazine at http://browse.guardian.co.uk/search/Life+and+style?search=siegle&sitesearch-radio=Life%2Band%2Bstyle&go-guardian=Search is full of useful info and tips. See especially her column on packaging on 31/10/10.

Suppliers of "recycled office supplies that don't cost the Earth since 1978. Purchasing green stationery & other recycled office supplies helps to reduce the impact of your business on the environment."

We are often told that carrier bags are a matter of consumer choice. But are they? And does a vast choice of bags really make for a better, happier life? Watch Professor Barry Schwartz talking about "The Paradox of Choice" on You Tube.

Please contact us at info[at]greenerkingston.org.uk if you would like to help with our campaign in any way.