Plastic bags

SIR, — Plastic bags do a great deal of damage to the environment and are symbolic of our throw-away culture. Treating the world like our dustbin is not sustainable but there are things we can do to improve the situation. The simplest, most effective way t

SIR, - Plastic bags do a great deal of damage to the environment and are symbolic of our throw-away culture. Treating the world like our dustbin is not sustainable but there are things we can do to improve the situation.

The simplest, most effective way to reduce our use of plastic bags is for the Government to introduce a small levy on their sale. In Ireland this has reduced plastic bag sales by about 95 per cent. It's a similar story in many other countries. In the absence of national legislation, communities up and down the UK have been taking action at a local level, inspired in the first place by the market town of Modbury in Devon.

Here in St Albans we have been delighted by the positive response among retailers to our campaign for a Green Bag Zone. Dozens of city-centre retailers are displaying our Green Bag Zone cards, which remind shoppers about the issue and ask them to bring their own bags.

I'd like to thank the following shops, which have physically signed up in support of our campaign:

The Dressing Room, Waterers, Nic Nacs, Ashwoods Art Supplies, Ocean Lane, Shree News, Loch Fyne, Printed Clothing Ltd, By George Antiques, By George Crafts, Willow Designs and Interiors, James of St Albans, Earleys, Richard Oliver, Galio, Wharton Goldsmiths, Chaos City Comics, The Real Sports Shop, Rocket, Howarths, Shoon, The Baby Shop.

We'll be continuing to talk to more retailers in the coming weeks. If anyone would like to know more about the campaign, how they can sign up, get some of our cards, or help in other ways, would they please get in touch at info@sagreens.org.uk

SIMON GROVER,

St Albans District Green Party.