UK consumers and shops can clock up a major coop. According to WRAP (Waste & Resources Action Programme), since figures were recorded in 2006, “… the number of ‘single-use’ carrier bags issued has been reduced by 43%.  This is a reduction of 4.6 billion single-use bags per year (45,800 tonnes per year), compares to a 37% reduction recorded in 2008/9.”

This is an amazing reduction and a great help to the environment.

Further information is available in this article in The Guardian.

San Fransisco to Sydney in 67 days, Plastiki is an example of reuse and recycle. Made mostly from plastic bottles, the idea behind Plastiki was to highlight the problem of the plastic garbage patch in the Pacific Ocean.

As reported in The Guardian:

“De Rothschild, 31, said the idea for the journey came to him after he read a United Nations report in 2006 that revealed how plastic waste was seriously threatening the world’s oceans, and considered that recycling plastic to build a boat could highlight the problem – and a solution.”

“Holland and Barrett becomes first major retailer to ban plastic bags

“Customers at the chain’s 539 shops will no longer be offered disposable bags to carry home their purchases, as part of a drive to cut down on waste.”

See the full story in the Telegraph

We are very pleased to hear that Rebecca Hosking is in the New Year’s Honours List having been awarded an MBE for all her endeavours in Modbury.

Rebecca’s awareness of the environmental damage caused by disposable plastic bags led to Modbury being the first plastic bag free town. Since then, many towns have followed her lead and raised awareness throughout the UK.

Rebecca gave up, and still gives, so much of her personal time for the cause, this honour is well deserved.

Here is an article in today’s Independent, another excellent reason to not only stop using plastic bags, but also to reduce plastic use across the board…….

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/scientists-uncover-new-ocean-threat-from-plastics-1774337.html

Last Saturday we were outside Sainsbury’s handing out leaflets, selling our lovely bags (http://www.plasticbagfreechesham.co.uk/buy-a-bag.html)  talking to shoppers and answering their questions about the campaign.

Sainsbury’s also joined in by having a Green Till for the day, a till where there were no free single use bags, so only people with their own bags, or those willing to pay for bags for life could go through. It proved so popular that they had to open a second till next door!

We were all really heartened to see how many shoppers were carrying their own bags or boxes, as well as the guilty looks and comments from those who had forgotten them. It seems like habits are really starting to change, which is great.

So thanks to Sainsbury’s for their support and to everyone who took the time to have a chat and add their verbal support, please don’t forget to carry your bags at all times!

Alison and Donna went to visit Ley Hill School today to lead the Assembly. See the article and prize winners on our web page.

Happy New Year to everyone reading these pages. Thanks for visiting us.

Well the new year is creeping into our senses and we are starting to poke our noses out from under the covers. The CarryAbag Team are regrouping after the celebrations and will shortly be out and about in a shop near you!

Speak to you soon and if you only make one resolution this year – make it sustainable!

Just a quick reminder that we will be on a stall at the Victorian Evening selling our fabulous Chesham cotton bags, so come and say ‘hi’ and get bags for everyone you know for Christmas!

The Victorian Evening is next Friday, 28th November from 6pm.

At this stage we don’t know where along the High Street our stall is to be situated, but rest assured, if we find out before the event we’ll post it here……

There will be another MorsBag Pod at Blue Haze Arts and Crafts,  2 Church Street, Market Square on Saturday 25th October from 1.30 to 4.30 to make more free cloth bags to hand out at the Victorian Evening.

Volunteers are required for cutting out and ironing before the event, which anyone can have a go at doing, and if any of you know your way around a sewing machine, then you could get involved on the day. Also if you have any old quilt covers, curtains or other material that you would like to donate, then you can be involved that way.

Either way please contact Hazel at Blue Haze beforehand by popping into the shop or emailing her on info@blue-haze.co.uk

For more information about Morsbags go to www.morsbags.com

Happy morsbagging!