Help make the Vale a plastic bag free zone
The Vale of Glamorgan Council is seeking the support of
residents in its bid to make the area a plastic-bag-free zone.
The council is urging the
public to ditch unnecessary plastic bags in an attempt to help the
environment and reduce the amount of waste generated, and many
shoppers are already showing that reusable bags are a key, ‘must
have’ fashion accessory that will, quite literally, make a
difference.
Some shoppers already use string, cotton, jute or paper bags and
the council is now offering reusable green bags. Priced at £1.50,
the jute foldable bags are on sale at council offices in Barry,
Penarth, Cowbridge and Llantwit Major. A natural fibre, jute is a
non pollutant, and no toxic gases or harmful emissions are created
during production.
Billions of plastic bags are thrown away every year causing
pollution, harming native wildlife and turning up in places such as
shorelines, and council head of visible services Miles Punter said:
"A plastic bag can take up to 500 years to degrade and, with
research revealing that every person in the UK uses an average of
167 plastic bags a year, this surely gives us the motivation to
change a lifetime of bad habits.
"I would ask all residents and visitors to do their bit and help
the Vale work towards becoming a plastic bag free zone. It’s vital
to make a difference together."
Residents can still use remaining plastic bags for the council's
recycling service; all are recycled. If individuals no longer have
any plastic bags, they can put materials in kerbside boxes. New
boxes are available from council offices at Cowbridge, Wenvoe and
Barry (Civic Offices).
For more information visit the recycling web pages or telephone 01446
700111.
Caption: Mum Dawn and daughter Georgina with reusable bags now
available from Vale of Glamorgan Council offices at Barry, Penarth,
Cowbridge and Llantwit Major.
30/05/2008