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Say “No” to plastic bags

The ‘say No to plastic bags’ initiative is an ideal way to do something for the environment. I would urge everyone to back the campaign by simply saying No to plastic bags
Council Chairman, Councillor Joe Mooney

South Norfolk Council has launched a say “No” to plastic bags campaign.

It is in line with the council’s policy to put the environment first in everything it does.

The campaign will be a battle for the hearts and minds of South Norfolk residents and is being led by the Chairman of the Council, Councillor Joe Mooney.

It is part of his Council Chairman’s theme for his term in office, which is to make South Norfolk a cleaner, greener brighter place.

He is hoping that by working with residents, small and big retailers and community groups, the campaign will make South Norfolk a plastic bag free zone.

The council is planning to produce campaign posters saying “Environment First” and “Say No” to plastic bags’.

And there will also be a toolkit for retailers and other organisations, carrying information on environmentally friendly bag sources and window stickers.

Councillor Mooney said:

“We all know the temptation to use plastic bags, especially when they are piled up and left open for us by the till. But that is the moment when we should say No to plastic bags and use the alternative environmentally friendly bags instead.

“That is the message to retailers too. Don’t use plastic bags - stock and issue the greener alternatives and urge shoppers to use them.

“We know our retailers care as much about the environment as we do. Now they should come out publicly and join our campaign.

“With retailers on board and with the backing of the residents, we could see the end of plastic bags here in South Norfolk in months rather than years.

“The ‘say No to plastic bags’ initiative is an ideal way to do something for the environment. I would urge everyone to back the campaign by simply saying No to plastic bags."

Deb Nash, postmistress at the Kirby Cane Spar shop she owns and manages with her husband Steve, is backing the campaign.

Both have already ordered a delivery of bags made of cloth which she requested from Spar recently. And both have been alerting customers of their plans to end the use of plastic bags.

Deb Nash said:

"Steve and myself have always been keen environmentalists.

"Since being here we have changed all the light bulbs possible to long life ones and are looking into changing the strip lights to spotlights in order to minimise electricity usage.

"We turn off all unnecessary equipment and try to reduce wastage as much as possible. Any out of date fruit and veg is passed on to a local animal owner.

"Therefore the “say no to plastic bags “ scheme is the icing on the cake for us. We will not refuse to hand out carriers but will encourage people to choose wisely and think about the consequences of what they are doing.

"The local council have also installed a bin outside, at our request, to try to stop people dropping the bags in the street."

Councillor Tony Game, who represents Gillingham ward in South Norfolk, is a master composter and South Norfolk Council's Recycling Champion.

He is right behind the campaign, and wants all parish councils to join in too:

"We need to back this campaign to improve our environment and I shall be asking all the parish councils to also endorse it.

"I am excited that my local shop is going to start this very shortly, and with the support of local residents this will prove a successful campaign.

"Well done to Deb Nash at the Spar in Kirby Cane."

British shops hand out billions of plastic bags every year at huge cost to the environment.

There is a need to halt the environmental damage done by the bags which use oil, take up landfill space and spoil the appearance the district and countryside.

Plastic bags also don’t biodegrade properly and they kill marine animals.

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