Kew goes plastic-bag free after Tesco retreat

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More than 50 independent traders in the area, including the Royal Botanic Gardens, have signed up to a scheme to replace environmentally unfriendly plastic carriers, which begins on 1 July.

Tesco had originally refused to take part in the scheme, claiming it was against company policy, but this week it made a partial climbdown, agreeing to keep plastic bags "under the counter" and only give them to customers who specifically ask for them.

"Plastic bags will be kept under the counter, out of sight, and only given on request," said a spokesman today. "We will also be giving away thousands of 'bags for life' to customers to support the scheme."

Greener Kew has been organised by the Kew Society together with the area's traders.

It is backed by environmentalist Zac Goldsmith and Baroness Tonge of Kew.

The participating stores have all signed a pledge agreeing not to give out or sell plastic bags. A cornstarch, biodegradable bag that is fully compostable is available as an alternative but customers may be charged for them.

Fairtrade cotton Greener Kew shopping bags will also be available throughout the village at a cost of £2.

Traders have already been giving out a fridge magnet to remind people to bring bags with them when they shop.

Michael Glazebrook, chairman of the Kew Society, said "Two million whales, dolphins, turtles and seabirds are killed every year by plastic. In the UK alone we use around 15 billion plastic bags each year.

"We hope to show other villages and towns all over the country what they can and should do to change things if they get together. All things are possible." Shopkeepers in Kew already report that many customers now bring their own bags. Tesco's support for the scheme comes weeks after the high street giant was accused of " sabotaging" plans by another London high street to ban plastic bags.

The Tesco storewhich sits alongside a host of small greengrocers, bakers and butchers in Newington Green refused to join a campaign to persuade shoppers to replace the bags with organic, reusable cotton sacks - to the fury of local campaigners.