Council grant helps launch plastic-bag-free initiative

12.26.52pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 1st Jul 2008

• A £3,000 grant from Richmond Council's Initiatives Fund has helped to ensure Kew will be the first area in London to go plastic bag free.

Over 50 independent traders in Kew are taking part in the "Greener Kew" scheme, alongside the Royal Botanic Gardens. All have signed a pledge agreeing not to give out or sell plastic bags in the future. The scheme has been organised by The Kew Society together with Kew's traders. From Tuesday July 1, the official launch date, residents and visitors will be encouraged to bring their own reusable bags when they shop in the area. Reusables with the "Greener Kew" logo will also be available throughout the village. The initiative has been supported by a £3,000 grant from Richmond Council's Initiatives Fund, which awards cash for environmental and quality-of-life schemes.

Cabinet Member for Environment, Cllr Martin Elengorn, said: "This is an excellent initiative and one I am delighted that the Council has helped to support. Londoners throw away 1.6 billion disposable bags each year and it is vital that we encourage alternatives to reduce the harmful effects on the environment. I hope many other areas of the capital will follow Kew's fine example."