CHARIBAG ACTION: Bags of support
Love them or loathe them, it seems there is no escaping the debate on plastic carrier bags.
It is back in the news again as the Government announces that High Street supermarkets could be forced to stop giving away plastic bags within months.
Joan Ruddock, Climate Change minister said she hoped big stores would follow the example of Marks & Spencer, who have introduced a 5p charge for bags, cutting the number of plastic bags handed out at tills by 80 per cent.
Stores are currently trying to reduce the number of bags by 25 per cent under a voluntary agreement with the Government.
However, Miss Ruddock said that was not good enough, explaining:
"Things have moved on. People are telling us, "We think these bags ought to be ended". They don't think we should go on distributing 13billion single-use carrier bags every year."
Asked what scale of plastic bag reduction the stores would need to deliver in order to avoid a ban, she said: "When we met retailers recently, we told them we thought a reduction of 70 per cent would be a ball-park figure. That is the order of reduction.
"If the reduction can be achieved voluntarily, then excellent. If it can't, we will impose charges. We know that is what the public wants."
Single-use plastic bags have an average lifespan of just 20 minutes before being dumped, they are a visible symbol of a throwaway society.
Most end up in landfill where they can take up to 1,000 years to rot, while others blight the landscape and seas, sometimes harming wildlife.
It looks like one way or another 'FREE' plastic bags are doomed!
We need to rethink how we transport our goods to and from the shops, looking at alternatives which can have a positive effect on others and our environment. Locally, we have this opportunity to do so, by using a charibag - a reusable eco bag with a social conscience!
Bags of support for: Sheffield Children's Hospital – available to buy from The Star –York Street, Sheffield Scene, various supermarkets, city centre promotions & online www.chariband.co.uk www.sheffieldchildrenshospital.org.uk for more details.
Over 27,000 has been raised for the hospital charity, city schools and the flood appeal. St.Lukes Hospice, F.A.B.L.E and Barnsley Hospice charibags are also now available through their individual charity shops.
If you want to get involved with Green Scene, have news to share, a photo to show or just a comment to make, email staronline@sheffieldnewspapers.co.uk and mark the subject field 'Green Scene'.
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Weather for Sheffield
Saturday 26 May 2012
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Temperature: 9 C to 21 C
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