Camden FoE has always looked out for ways to engage people on the street in discussions about the environment, but often actions speak louder than words. So, when we wanted to challenge people's use of plastic bags we wanted to offer a practical solution. We're concerned about the use of these bags as they kill millions of animals, cause floods, fill the remaining landfill sites and litter cities, countryside and oceans alike.We've been making bags from old material (old dresses, curtains, duvet covers, and a couple of Steve's shirts) and giving them out on the street to encourage people to give up plastic bags for good. Today we gave out about 40 and got 50 plastic bags in return.
It was shocking to see the amount of plastic given out unnecessarily by shops - Woolworths had provided one shopper with 2 bags - 1 for a bottle of hair product and one for a (plastic-wrapped) birthday card.Unfortunately we can't make people never use plastic again, but we will have got people thinking about why they should avoid using them, and everyone we asked agreed that there should be a ban or a tax on bags to help reduce their use.
- In the UK we use an average of 290 bags a year, and 1.2 trillion are used worldwide
- On average we use each bag for about 12 minutes before disposing of them
- Ireland's 15p PlasTax has resulted in a 90% reduction in use of plastic bags since its introduction in 2002
- In 2002 Bangladesh became the first country to ban plastic bags. A movement against them began in the 1980s in Dhaka, where bags were found to clog drains in the monsoon rains, causing flooding. Since then plastic bags have been banned in countries such as Rwanda, Tanzania and in the UK they've been banned from Modbury (Devon).
Supermarkets are saying that they will cut usage, but so far we've seen very little meaningful action. It is not enough to have the odd plastic-free day, and bags for life are still made of plastic. In fact, the plastic bag industry are using the harm done by these longer-lasting bags as a way of arguing against the implementation of a tax on plastic bags in the UK. As for promises regarding the introduction of degradable bags - consumers need to be aware that 'degradable' bags are not the same as biodegradable. They break down into smaller and smaller pieces which contaminate earth, waterways and oceans.
Some of our happy customers saying 'No' to plastic bags
If you want to make your own bag go to www.morsbags.com, even better make one for a friend as well. We were surprised how much we've enjoyed this project - working together to make these bags has resulted in some group members learning new skills, a lot of laughs, and some great job satisfaction. But if sewing really isn't your bag (pun completely intended) you can get really useful bags at www.onyabags.co.uk or something a bit more glamorous at Cheeky Leopard.
6 comments:
Sorry, but you are wrong about degradable plastic. It does not just fragment. After the additive has reduced the molecular weight the plastic biodegrades to nothing more than C02, water and humus, leaving no harmful residues.
Starch-based biodegradable plastic emits methane in landfill, but oxo-biodegradable does not.
I think what's important in the blog message is that it's better to keep materials in use than to use disposable bags that contribute to known environmental problems. Sometimes attention to scientific detail is important (such as climate analyses), though sometimes broader messages are more important (reuse, rather than disposal). This campaign event is in the latter camp.
The group has done a great thing in raising awareness with shoppers. When the campaign action goes on BBC Breakfast News, the awareness will spread further, re-inforcing previous messages in the media.
Thanks for your comment Michael.
The point was that there are different types of degradable plastic. My understanding is that most of the products labelled as degradable plastic do not biodegrade or compost and hang around in our environment much longer.
In any case I'd like to see a move to cut all plastic bag usage; as you say, there are problems with biodegradable types as well.
I think raising awareness of the unnecessary use of plastic bags is a brilliant and worthwhile project.
In South Africa the government has made it law that you have to pay for your bags which has made people think twice and many large supermarkets sell fabric bags as an alternative.
Perhaps you could approach some chains to offer this? It's not as good as people using material they already have but for those that will never get round to sewing it's a preferable alternative to plastic.
Go Liz.
I am a newly qualified teacher of textiles, and have been pondering over an idea for a project for my 13 year olds that can bring the issue of recycling into textiles. Having seen the article on breakfast news yesturday I am now inspired and will be doing something along these lines. It is key that we bring the message to as many people as possible that the resources of this world just won't last for ever. And what a better way than to start with the young.
Hi Sophie
if you come back, could you please email me on the following address:
astro_tomato
[at]
yahoo.co.uk
thanks
Graeme Maughan
Coordinator, Camden Friends of the Earth
Post a Comment