As well as directly encouraging householders to use re-usable bags instead of new plastic carrier bags, the council is approaching retailers to gain their support in promoting the message.
” Camden Council believes that we should be a catalyst for change and seize the initiative in pressing for national action. “
– Cllr John Thane, Camden council
Council officers are highlighting the cost savings available to retailers by reducing the use of plastic bags – particularly with the price of bags rising because of the current high price of oil.
And, as England's waste strategy is reviewed, the council has met with Defra to press the government to take national action concerning plastic bags.
More than 10 billion plastic bags are used every year in the UK, at a cost of roughly 1 billion. Camden council said it takes 500 years for bags to decompose in landfill, and when not disposed of properly they can have a “disastrous impact on the landscape, water systems and wildlife”.
The council said on average, people in the UK each throw away 290 carried bags a year, with 8% of global oil going towards making plastic bags.
“Catalyst”
Cllr John Thane, executive member for environment at Camden council, said: “Camden Council believes that we should be a catalyst for change and seize the initiative in pressing for national action on cutting plastic bag use.
“Plastic bags are a major item in the waste stream and cutting down on the number we use when we're going about our day-to-day business is a simple action to take but would significantly help improve the environment, locally and globally,” Cllr Thane added.
Initiatives
Camden is working with local supermarkets and shops to urge them to adopt voluntary initiatives to cut the number of plastic bags they hand out. Among those being approached will be stores opening in the new Brunswick Centre development this summer.
From this month, Camden council will send out re-usable cotton bags to 100,000 households to provide alternatives to carrier bags. If a single person from each household were to use their bag up to 29 million carrier bags could be saved each year, the council claimed. Cotton bags are already handed out at council events.
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Over the winter, Camden introduced biodegradable hessian bags at the Swiss Cottage market to provide an alternative for shoppers. Selling at 1 each, the bags are re-usable but break down on disposal. There are also plans to introduce the bags at other markets within the borough.
The council will also be setting up a new “bring and take” scheme to encourage the users of libraries to re-use carrier bags for taking home their books. This could save 12,000 bags a year, officers believe.
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