Sunday, October 12, 2008
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TOWN SET TO BIN THE PLASTIC BAGS

By Richard Wright - Friday, December 14, 2007
TOWN SET TO BIN THE PLASTIC BAGS
Angie Pullin is among those trying to rid Ventnor and the Island of disposable plastic shopping bags. Picture by Peter Boam.
PLANS are being laid for Ventnor to bin the bags.
Drastic plastic bag action is being taken by a town group, which hopes it will spread to make the whole of the Island carrier bag-free, fitting the IW Council’s Eco Island ethos.
Ventnor shops and supermarkets are being contacted by the group to get their co-operation and members have started making their own replacement fabric bags.
The idea sprang from a resident a couple of weeks ago and is being spearheaded by six people, including Newport Road resident Angie Pullin.
“At the moment we are consulting with the shops to find out the size and type of plastic bags they use at present so economically viable alternatives can be found,” said Angie.
“Shoppers need not worry. There will still be a bag for their shopping — just not made out of plastic.
“The ideas is that one eco-friendly bag will be delivered free to every home in Ventnor with an information sheet asking people to re-use it and other non-plastic bags they may have.
“We are about to ask Ventnor Middle School children to put forward designs for Ventnor’s own fabric shopping bag — the Ventbag.
“These will be available at Ventnor shops to encourage people to use local businesses that are having a tough time at the moment.
“I started making the bags with the Ventnor Permaculture Group and anyone else interested in the idea can go to the www.morsbags.com website set up by a similar group in Bembridge, or, in the new year, type Ventbag into Google to find out more.
“There are hundreds of towns around the UK and, indeed, the world, which have people who make these bags and in January there will be a couple of community make-a-bag sessions.
“All people need to be able to do is to be able to sew in a straight line.
“Even if people cannot sew they can get involved.
“Any cotton fabric no longer needed, like curtains, duvet covers and remnants and sewing thread can be dropped off at The Ventnorian in Spring Hill where bag-making instructions can be picked up.
“We’re very excited about the response to the idea, which has really snowballed.
“We hope to follow the example of Modbury in Devon and make Ventnor plastic carrier bag free by September 2008.”
* A plastic bag can take up to 1,000 years to break down, causing litter on streets and beaches and harm to the marine environment. In Ventnor it is estimated that 100,000 plastic carrier bags a year are used, on average, by shoppers for just 12 minutes.
  • Letter on this topic in the Friday, December 14, County Press.