Council launches ‘bin the bags’ group

A Government campaign to cut the number of plastic bags used by shoppers is being backed in Oldham.

The “get a bag habit” campaign was launched on Monday as it was revealed that each consumer gets through around 160 new carrier bags a year — or 25,000 in a lifetime.

The seven biggest supermarkets signed a national agreement with Government in December to reduce the use of plastic bags, as plans to slap a tax on bags were postponed.

But Oldham councillors found that not all supermarkets in Oldham are adopting the agreement wholeheartedly.

Now members of a special council group are looking at how to stop free, single use, plastic bags from being dumped in landfill, where they can remain for up to 16 generations.

Local branches of supermarkets not observing their company policy about cutting single use bags will be named and reported to head office, once the proposals is approved by the council.

The group is calling on the authority and local businesses to develop a range of bags for life for Oldham, set up a campaign champion to reduce plastic bag use, and cut down the number of plastic bags used by the council — while making sure any that are used are biodegradable.

It also wants the local reduction scheme to work with traders in small neighbourhoods, rather than borough-wide, helping them to source alternatives to plastic bags.

The eco-schools network will be used to encourage young people to reduce the number of plastic bags they use.

The group was set up by the council’s Overview and Scrutiny Committee, and chairman Councillor Keith Pendlebury said: “Using a bag for life can trigger wider behavioural change as it encourages individuals to think about environmental issues each time they shop.

“My family has always used reusable bags even before it became fashionable. I sometimes take plastic bags if I’ve forgotten one, but we make sure we used them more than once.”