Drive to ditch throwaway shopping bags

12.05.17pm GMT Thu 6th Mar 2008

Pupils across the borough are joining the drive to promote re-usable shopping bags thanks to a new Richmond Council-led initiative.

The project will see Year Five pupils (nine-ten year olds) decorate re-usable bags provided by the Council and encourage their parents or guardians to carry them when out shopping. The children will monitor the reduction of single-use throwaway bags in their own homes and then Council officers will visit schools to collate the results of the drive and hold group discussions. Cllr Martin Elengorn, Cabinet Member for Environment on Richmond Council, said: "'Throwaway bags account for a significant amount of waste in the borough. Across London as a whole 1.6 billion single-use shopping bags are thrown out each year with a damaging effect on wildlife and the environment. This project is an excellent opportunity to involve children in promoting the re-usable alternative. We fully support the London Local Authorities Bill that proposes a ban on single-use throwaway shopping bags in the capital."