I say ‘No!’

A report in the BBC today carries this heading and focuses on the fact that plastic bags make up only a small part of the mis-use of our oil reserves.

Whilst this is true, I disagree this sentiment.

Like a flag being run up a very high pole, the movement is making a lot of people think about plastic in general: it’s use and mis-use; non-essential packaging; waste disposal. These are all vital issues in our new approach to living a sustainable lifestyle. One where we work with the planet and use our resources wisely, rather than one where we exploit all that is on offer and waste it.

If banning the single use plastic carrier bag makes people aware of these issues – which it most certainly has – then banning the bag is not a ‘diversion’. It is, in fact, a ‘herald’!