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Kew goes plastic-bag free after Tesco retreat
Mark Prigg, Science Correspondent18.06.08
Kew is set to become London's first plastic-bag free zone following a major turnaround by Tesco.
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.
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Reader views (20)
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I agree with Dan Slack of Kew, I think it's a disgrace that Tesco with all their resources can't manage to go plastic free unlike the smaller traders. What sort of example is this setting? I am confused about the post regarding Kew Gardens returning to plastic as I was in there just the other day and was given a paper bag for my purchases and it was absolutely fine. It also made an excellent reusable gift bag! Perhaps he missed the notice that Kew are phasing out the use of plastic bags and are possibly still using them for some purchases which I assume is to avoid further waste. Well done Kew. Why don't Tesco commit to phasing out theirs if that is why they continue to use them?
- Shannon, Winchester
Don't have a go at Tesco there are other traders that are still using plastic bags. In the gift shop at Kew Gardens today (13th July) I bought a book and was given a plastic carrier. I asked about the Kew goes plastic free promotion and was told that Kew Gardens went plastic free for a week but the paper bags they used instead were useless. They had so many customer complaints so they have returned to plastic.
- Mark Mellor, Kew
Well done Kew. Although it is of course obvious that banning bags won't save the world, and everyone knows that paper and cornstarch bags have an environmental impact as well, plastic bags are a great, immediate and recognisable symbol of the wider challenges we face, and it is a brilliant first step along the road to sustainability.
We in Newington Green are doing the same thing - starting by building a giant whale on our green on 13th July to celebrate our launch. Come and join the fun! 12-4pm
Find us on the web by googling 'plastic bag free newington green'
- Plastic Bag Free Newington Green, London
