Plastic Bag Free HighburyBarn

Let's make Highbury Barn the 2nd Islington area to do without plastic

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The Plastic Bag Free areas in the UK

Aylsham, England

On May 3rd, 2008, the historic market town of Aylsham went plastic bag free. The shops charge a fee for disposable bags including plastic, cornstarch and paper (shop determined fee and type of bag).

Banchory, Scotland

In January 2008, the town of Banchory started a campaign to encourage consumers to bring reusable bags to shops and also asked shop owners to cease carrying free plastic bags.

Girton, England

The shops in the village of Girton have stopped giving out free plastic bags as of January 2008. Reusable cotton bags were handed out to residents and shops will have cotton bags in stock to offer in place of plastic.

Hay-On-Wye, Wales

In December 2007, the Chamber of Commerce and citizens of Hay-On-Wye decided to go plastic bag free. The shops charge for cornstarch takeaway bags and the town is encouraging the use of reusable bags.

Hebden Bridge, England

This historic market town went “plastic bag free” in December 2007 using a campaign encouraging reusable bags. Residents were also given a free cotton bag as a kickoff for the program.

Henfield, England

In May of 2008, the town of Henfield gave a free cotton bag to each household and all shops went “plastic bag free”. Shops charge for the use of paper or cornstarch bags and also have reusable cotton and canvas bags for sale.

Kew, England

In July 2008, the town of Kew began a plastic bag free campaign that encourages shops to forgo free giveaway bags and asks residents to bring their own reusable bags.

Llandysilio, Wales

In 2007, the small village of Llandysilio in Pembrokeshire Wales banned plastic bags from being given out at all shops including the post office.

London, England

In 2007, a proposed ban on plastic bags was introduced in London. By November 2008, the proposal was withdrawn. This ban withdrawal came after the ministers of the London Councils supported the implementation of a minimum charge on plastic bags.

Modbury, England

On May 1st, 2007, the small town of Modbury and the resident shops and businesses enacted a ban on plastic bags (self-regulated). Shops offer reusable bags as well as compostable bags for items like fruit and meats.

Overton, England

Shopkeepers in the village of Overton switched from plastic bags to biodegradable corn starch bags in October 2007.

Selkirk, Scotland

On April 4th, 2008, this town became plastic bag free. The town encourages the use of reusable bags and funded local shops to buy paper bags made with recycled content for general shopping bag use and compostable cornstarch bags for food, meat and fish.

Tisbury, England

In January 2008, the village of Tisbury went “plastic bag free;” shops encourage reusable bags and residents were charged with making the change from getting free bags at the store to bringing their own bags.

The Plastic Bag Free areas in Europe

Belgium

The country of Belgium passed a tax on plastic bags in 2007 along with a tax on plastic films (like dry cleaning bags), aluminum foil, and disposable cutlery. The tax went into effect July 1st, 2007.

Denmark

In Denmark, there is a tax on plastic bags. Starting in 1994 with a tax on packaging materials that was charged to retailers and then progressing to a tax in 2005 on waste. This waste tax makes it more expensive to send waste to a landfill or to incinerate it.

France

By 2010, plastic bags will be completely outlawed in France.
The French island, Corsica, banned plastic bags in large stores in 1999.

Paris

In January 2007, the city of Paris banned non-biodegradable plastic bags in large stores. This was done in order to help reduce pollution in the city.

Germany

In Germany, all stores that provide plastic takeaway bags must pay a recycling fee to the government to help enhance recycling programs.

Ireland

March of 2002, the Republic of Ireland passed a law enacting a tax on plastic bags. This tax, known widely as the “PlasTax,” caused a reduction in plastic bag use of 90%. Since 2002, the reduction has become markedly less (meaning that consumers are using more plastic bags) and so in 2007, the government opted to increase the tax.

Italy

In May 2007, Italy passed a law banning non-biodegradable plastic bags starting in 2010. Previously, the country had a plastic bag tax from 1989 to 1992.

Spain

Spain has enacted a law to halve the country's consumption of plastic bags by the end of 2009.

Find out about the rest of the world...

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Where the Big Chains stand

The Big Supermarkets have been asked whether they would ban the plastic bags,charge for one or...

TESCO:
Tesco says "You can encourage people without applying penalties" .. Its policy is to give "Customer Points" for reusing bags. Tesco gives away 3 billion free plastic bags a year
SAINSBURY'S:
Sainsbury's says "We do everything we can to help customers reuse and recycle plastic bags. Its plocy is to give "Points" for reuse and to use less plastic when making plastic bags. Sainsbury's gives away 1.78 billion free plastic bags a year.
ALDI:
Aldi says "Charging has a dramatic effect" . Its policy is to charge for "Long-life"bags that are thicker and can be reused. Aldi gives away 0 free plastic bags a year.
ASDA:
Asda says "Charging for bags would have particular impact on low income shoppers". Its policy is to keep free plastic bags out of sight at check-outs and ti give Vouchers for reusing bags. Asda gives away 2.23 billion free plastic bags a year.
NETTO:
Netto says " We give customers the choice of buying a bag so we can concentrate on keeping prices low". Its policy is to charge for long-life bags. Netto gives away 0 free plastic bags a year.
LIDL:
Lidl says "By applying a small charge to each bag,we find customers more willing to reuse their bags". Its policy is to charge for Long-life bags. Lidl gives away 0 free plastic bags a year.
MORRISONS:
Morrison says "The right approach is to offer customers a genuine alternative". Its policy is to promote Bags for life and use less plastic in carrier bags. Morrisons gives away 1.4 billion free plastic bags a year.
CO-OP/SOMERFIELD:
Co-op/Somerfield says "We will cooperate with the Government on any initiative". Its policy is to trial Biodegradable bags. Co-op/ Somerfield gives away 1.2 billion free plastic bags a year.
WAITROSE:
Waitrose says "We encourage and educate customers to use alternatives". Its policy is that the cashiers offer Bags for life to buy. Waitrose gives away 311 million free plastic bags a year.

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Designed by Cristiano Pusceddu		Last updated 25/09/2009