Free and Impartial Environmental Advice for Businesses in Aylsham

Free and Impartial Environmental Advice for Businesses in Aylsham

Throughout the whole of March 2010 our team of expert Environmental
Business Advisors will be available to complete a FREE and impartial
on-site review to help your business Reduce Risk, Reduce Costs and
Reduce Environmental and Carbon Impact.

We will also be holding drop-in surgeries for one to one advice on all
aspects of environmental issues affecting businesses including
consumption of resources and production of waste. In addition there will
be two seminars covering these aspects.

Drop-in surgeries in the Green Room, Aylsham Town Hall
10:00 to 16:00 on 10, 11 and 12 March

Free seminars in the Green Room, Aylsham Town Hall
11:00 to 13:00 on 23 March
and
18:00 to 20:00 on 24 March

Both Seminars will conclude with a complementary buffet

For more details and to book a review or seminar place please call
01603 222089 or email environmental.advice@norfolk.gov.uk

Supermarkets 48% - Aylsham 90%

Aylsham Plastic Bag FREE
Norfolk’s First Plastic Bag FREE Town
www.aylshamplasticbagfree.co.uk

On 3rd May 2008, the historic market town of Aylsham became Norfolk’s first Plastic Bag FREE town


Press Release

Supermarkets 48% - Aylsham 90%

Today the supermarkets have shouted about the reduction they have achieved in plastic bag use. It’s wonderful news that 346 million fewer plastic bags are now being handed out, but they still handed out 372 million which will continue to have a huge impact on the environment.

Aylsham, a historic market town in the heart of Norfolk, became Norfolk’s first plastic bag free town just over a year ago. A survey was carried out following the move by the town’s traders, and discovered that Aylsham has achieved a reduction of 90%.

What Aylsham has proved, is that if the will of the general public and traders is there, then reducing environmental impact is very achievable. 97% of people support Aylsham’s campaign to go plastic bag free, with over 60% always bringing their own bags and just 1% choosing to ignore the campaign completely.

It was always realised that it would be impossible for Aylsham to become 100% plastic bag free. Even with legislation you can’t get everyone to join a campaign like this, but to achieve a 90% reduction is a huge achievement.

Throughout the process of becoming plastic bag free, Aylsham wrote a blog, which gives helpful information to traders and customers. Other towns who wish to follow suit are welcome to read the blog and learn from the process Aylsham took – www.aylshamplasticbagfree.co.uk

End Press Release

For more information on Aylsham Plastic Bag Free, please visit the Aylsham Plastic Bag Free website – www.aylshamplasticbagfree.co.uk

Or contact:

Aylsham Traders Association
c/o 32 Market Place, Aylsham, Norfolk, NR11 6EN
Website: www.aylshamtraders.co.uk
Email: info@aylshamtraders.co.uk
Tel: 01263 734848

Earthly Ideas
Jason Borthwick
Email: enquiries@earthlyideas.co.uk
Tel: 07776 254019

The project was also supported by:

Norfolk County Council
Alun Housago
Email: alun.housago@norfolk.gov.uk
Tel: 01603 222089

Broadland District Council

Aylsham Town Council

Cartoon in the Eastern Daily Press

Aylsham wins Community Initiative Norfolk Waste Partnership Award

Congratulations to all the participating traders in Aylsham. You are collectively the winners of the Community Initiative Norfolk Waste Partnership Award.

Photo of Nikki from J.B.Postles collecting the award on behalf of all the participating traders.

Aylsham Plastic Bag FREE Survey

Some six months after Aylsham became Norfolk's first Plastic Bag FREE Town, Norfolk County Council carried out a survey to see how the scheme was going.

10 Minute Observation Survey Methodology

Shoppers were observed in the town centre an leaving various supermarkets for ten minute periods during which time notes a tally of bag was taken of the number of shoppers using:

1. Reusable bags
2. No bags for purchases (i.e. carrying purchases loose)
3. Plastic bags.

Click on the individual graphs for a larger version.

Additional Blog Administrator

Hi all

Alun Housago alun.housago@norfolk.gov.uk is now able to update the Blog.

If you can't get hold of Jason to update the Blog please pass items to Alun.

Regards

Alun

Thank you

Dear all

On Saturday May 3rd 2008 Aylsham officially became Norfolk's first plastic bag free town.

Just over 1,100 were handed out to residents which is almost half of the households in Aylsham. We hope to supply the other half via the schools and on our follow up day on May 17th. Please pass this info on to anyone who hasn't got one yet.

The best bit for me is that out of 1,100 people we spoke to only 1 person came to complain! On a more serious note, the vast majority of people were extremely pleased and proud to be involved in doing their bit for Aylsham and hoped that other towns in Norfolk would soon follow suit.

The next good news is that the specially designed bags are going to be delivered this week (better late than never) and will definitely be available for the 17th.

We hope to use Aylsham's success as a model for assisting other towns and villages to make the switch. As part of our ongoing commitment we plan to monitor how well householders and traders alike are getting on with being plastic bag free as well as offering traders and householders advice and support to help reduce other wastes and consumption of resources.

My colleagues and I would like to express our sincere thanks to all of you who have been involved in this pioneering campaign in Norfolk, it wouldn't have been possible without your input.

Many thanks, and keep up the good work!

Alun, Martina, Kate and Alder
Norfolk County Council

Aylsham is Plastic Bag FREE!

... well almost. We're sure you'll see the odd plastic bag being used, but we know we've reduced the usage by at least 1,000,000 (yes that is one million) bags a year.

Ladies of Aylsham show off their range of eco friendly bags

Showing off a bag decorated at school earlier in the week

More happy visitors to Aylsham with their eco friendly bags

Residents of Aylsham queue to pick up their free cotton shopping bag,
being handed out by the team from Norfolk County Council.

The 71 businesses who have signed the pledge have joined together today to really promote Aylsham Plastic Bag FREE.

No doubt the social pages of the EDP Norfolk magazine will show photos of all the ladies and their varied selection of eco friendly shopping bags.

Thank you to all those who have supported the scheme, from customers bringing their own bags, traders swapping over to eco friendly alternative bags, Broadland District Council for supplying the plastic bag recycle bins and the team at Norfolk County Council for handing out the free cotton shopping bags to Aylsham residents.

More Customer Questions and Answers

Mr Crome, an Aylsham resident, sent a number of questions to us, which have been answered by various members of the Aylsham Plastic Bag FREE working group.

2) How are plastic bags recycled, and what happens to them?

The plastic bags collected from Aylsham during the four weeks the bins are in place will be taken to a company called ‘Polyprint’ in Rackheath. There they will be bailed along with other waste plastic from Polyprint’s production process and material that Polyprint receive from members of the public. Due to the low commercial value of waste polythene, Polyprint do not make any money from this operation. The bails are transported to British Polythene Industries Plc for recycling back into black refuse sacks.

3) How is it known that it takes up to 1000 years for a plastic bag to "break down"?

Scientists estimate that it takes between 400 to 1000 years for plastic items to break down. This quote was taken from www.plasticbagfree.com/facts.php and they sourced it from New Scientist and the UNEP.

4) Do some bags break down quicker? If so, which ones and by what degree?

Please see answers to questions 3 & 7

5) Who has discovered, and how, that 47% of windblown litter escaping from landfill sites is plastic?

This information comes from research in the Litter Strategy for Victoria, Australia, produced by the Victorian Litter Action Alliance. Please use this link if you would like more details.
www.sustainability.vic.gov.au/resources/documents/Litter_Strategy_Background_Paper.pdf

6) Why is BDC unwilling to accept a wide range of plastic items for recycling?

The company we are taking the plastic bags to only except polythene items for recycling, hence we are limited to asking people to place plastic bags only in the special recycling bins in the Town Centre.

As for Broadland’s kerbside recycling scheme, the only plastic we are able to collect is plastic bottles. Unfortunately, there is currently no stable long term market or processing route available for the recycling of other plastics. Plastic bottles are easily identifiable, made from a standard type of plastic (and not blends of different polymers), and provide minimal amounts of food contamination.

7) What is the difference between "biodegrade" and "photodegrade"?

The difference between whether a material ‘biodegrades or ‘photodegrades’ lies in the way in which it breaks down and the materials left over at the end of the process. In the context of plastic bags there are two main alternatives to the traditional plastic carrier.

Photodegradable/degradable plastics break down over a period of time when acted on by UV light. The plastic eventually breaks down into smaller and smaller pieces which reduces litter but can in some circumstances become a pollutant contaminating soil and waterways. There are lots of companies who site that their plastics are ‘bio-degradable’ but this may not be entirely accurate are more likely to be photodegradable/degradable. But as yet there are no set guidelines for companies to follow regarding this classification.

Biodegradable/Compostable bags are alternatives to polymers are made from corn starch, though they can also come from potatoes or other crops. Biodegradable bags that are compostable break down within 12 weeks into pieces able to fit through a sieve with two millimetre holes. They eventually decompose into carbon dioxide, water and biomass.

Bags marked compostable are the only bags that have passed a standard test to break down with a specified time span. But the bags need to be treated like any other compost – turned over regularly and kept well aerated. When they are well composted, these bags add yummy nutrients to the soil to help worms, bacteria and other helpful organisms grow. A down side is that the materials required make these compete for space with food crops, just as biofuels do. But at least they are reusable and decompose to a toxin-free humus.

8) Is one form better than another?

It is hard to say which type of bag is better than the other as each carries its own range of environmental pros and cons. We have instead provided Aylsham traders with a range of companies from which to purchase their bags and given them the freedom to weigh up the environmental options themselves. The main emphasis of the campaign has been for people to bring their own reusable shopping bags/baskets made from durable materials like jute, cotton or wicker into Aylsham when they shop leaving the disposable alternative options as only a last resort.

9) Many people use plastic carriers as bin liners. Are there any bin liners that are biodegradeable and will Budgens be selling them?

We want to remove plastic from the system, be it in the form of bin liners or anything else. Budgens and other shops in Aylsham stock or will stock biodegradable bags and there will be a list here before 3rd May.


10) Have Budgens given any indication that they will be passing on to customers the savings they will make on not supplying plastic bags?

Normally we would use over 1 million throw away carriers in our Aylsham store a year, recently we have reduced this by over 75%, and from May 3rd we intend to completely switch over to more ethical alternatives such as:

• “free boxes” which you can bring back for recycling
• “replaceable bags for life” only 10p and we’ll replace and recycle free when worn out
• “Jute bags for life” stylish, sturdy and only £1.49 each

"The money saved is going to be donated to local community projects - and to kick start each Community Piggy Bank, we are going to donate £1,000 to each store. A donation form for our O'Flynns Community Piggy Bank - is available from the link below, and all you have to do is fill it in and hand it in to your local store" - Colette and Jamie O'Flynn

For more information visit www.oflynnsgroup.co.uk

11) What are "corn starch" bags made of and do we know how much CO2 is emitted to make these bags as compared to plastic bags?

Please see Q7.

12) If many more paper bags are used by, for example, supermarkets, do we know to what extent this may impact on the need to fell more trees and the knock-on effect of this on the environment?

As highlighted in question 8 the main emphasis of the campaign is for customers to bring their own reusable shopping bag made from durable materials like jute, cotton or wicker cane. Plastic bag alternatives such as paper or corn starch are for customers to use as a last resort if they have forgotten their shopping bags.

13) What would you say is the MAIN purpose of the "Plastic Bag Free" campaign: A) reducing litter B) preserving wildlife C) or cutting CO2's?

The main purpose of the campaign is actually to encourage waste reduction with the emphasis being on customers shopping in Aylsham bringing with them their own reusable shopping bag/basket to carry their purchases home. Alternatives to plastic carrier bags are being promoted only as a last resort as each ‘alternative’ carries its own environmental impact that has to still be considered. Other benefits such as reducing litter, preserving wild life and cutting CO2 will hopefully be positive indirect outputs from the campaign.

14) Were you aware that one of the Links on your website appears to promote a company that sells plastic bags?

If you are referring to the Carrier Bag Shop, this company does sell polythene bags as one of its products. We were however only promoting its paper bag range which are made from FSC certified paper, water based inks and starch based glues including close working relationships with organisations such as Treeaid and The Tree Council. For more information visit: www.carrierbagshop.co.uk/environment.htm

15) The list of traders listed as supporting the campaign is impressive, but do we know why many are not displaying the poster?

Most traders who have signed up to the campaign are displaying a poster, whether it is in their windows or inside the shops. Norfolk County Council will visiting traders again before the launch to bring around more posters.

16) What plans are there for the future, either in Aylsham or else where?

There are several other towns in Norfolk who are keen to go plastic bag free and there is already some work underway. We hope that Aylsham will provide a model for other towns in Norfolk and they can use some of the experiences and publicity material to develop future campaigns. There is the potential for traders in Alysham to continue to reduce their waste further by focusing on other wastes such as other plastics and packaging and reduce their waste even further.

17) What is the reason why the recycling bins are not accepting biodegradeable bags?

The company we are delivery the waste carrier bags to asked us to ensure there are no biodegradable bags included. The way that biodegradable bags are designed to break down after use means that they are not suitable for recycling back into useful products

18) How can people who may have surplus bags tell the difference?

We are asking residents to only deposit plastic bags in the recycling bins. Bags marked as Degradeable, Biodegradable or Compostable need to be kept out. If the plastic bag does not have some text on it telling you it is one of the above then it should be ok to go in the plastic bag recycling bins.

19) Why is the word "amnesty" - with its overtones of gun and knife crime - being used when it is not illegal for traders or public to use plastic bags?

Sorry if you didn't like the word amnesty, the idea was to inject a little humour in the press releases and news. No one is suggesting it is illegal to use plastic bags, although in some countries it now is and with hope the British government will eventually see sense and bring in similar laws in this country.

20) Do you see any areas where the use of plastic bags would be appropriate?

Not really. Wherever plastic bags are used, if they end up in landfill or blow into rivers, lakes or the sea they will cause polution. The idea is to remove plastic from the waste stream completely, as we've mentioned elsewhere in these answers, and the long term aim has to be to faze out the use of plastic in all its forms. For more information on the damage that plastics cause, please see the various videos we've listed on this site and some of the plastic bag information links.

21) Also, are there any circumstances where the law might require the use of plastic bags; if so, is there a particular type that you would recommend?

We are not aware of any such circumstances. Examples like traders using plastic food bags to wrap items such as meat and fish to avoid the cross contamination of food is not something that we are seeking to discourage. We are simply aiming to persuade consumers to carry things home in reusable cloth bags.

22) What is your view of the use of plastic bags for litter picking in country lanes, on beaches and, say, Aylsham recreation ground?

Stopping the use of plastic receptacles for the collection of litter is not the aim of this scheme. We are focussing on consumer use of plastic bags and our aim is to encourage waste reduction among customers shopping in Aylsham. Whilst biodegradable options are available for litter pickers, the use of plastic bags for this activity only constitutes a small percentage of the 17 billion plastic bags given out in the UK every year.

24) What is your view of the use of the large black (sometimes green) bags used in litter and dog bins, and by householders for dumping rubbish and surplus items at waste disposal sites?

The Aylsham Plastic Bag Free scheme aims to target the most prevalent area of plastic bag use, the consumer. The aim of our scheme is to remove plastic carrier bags from the waste stream. Making Aylsham plastic bag free is an achievable feet whereas other areas of plastic bag use may require more thought.

25) What is your view of companies that encourage the reuse of plastic bags by shoppers through a reward scheme?

That's a start, but there are still no guarantees that those plastic bags won't end up causing polution, so it's better not to use them at all, than use them and hope they are recycled. We know of one supermarket that doesn't even recycle the returned bags for life, even though company policy is to do so.

26) What is your definition of a "plastic bag"?

We are asking for plastic bags only in the recycling bins. By this we mean the type of plastic carrier bag given out by retailers to carry goods home, bearing in mind we would ask residents to avoid placing biodegradable bags in as discussed in questions 17 & 18.

27) Jason Borthwick is quoted in the Norfolk press as saying: "It's not quite at the point (presumably the campaign) where people hiss if you walk down the street with a plastic bag". Presumably Jason would strongly disapprove if this were to happen!?

Probably best to read the press release where those words were, which is listed on this blog. It wasn't actually a comment or a quote, it was the beginnings of the press release and attributed to Jason. Again it was about injecting a big of humour into the project, sorry if that wasn't clear.

Plastic Bag Recycle Bins

Aylsham becomes Pastic Bag Free on 3rd May. The aim of the campaign is to help people stop using plastic bags.

There are now four plastic bag recycling bins in the town centre of Aylsham. These are supplied by Broadland District Council.

If you come into Aylsham, please remember to bring your own shopping bag.

Why not bring the plastic bags you've got stored at home and place them in one of the recycle bins.

Aylsham, Norfolk’s First Plastic Bag FREE Town - Press Release

Press Release

Aylsham, Norfolk’s First Plastic Bag FREE Town
www.aylshamplasticbagfree.co.uk

Who would have suspected that the historic market town of Aylsham was a hot bed of environmental activism? It’s not quite at the point where people hiss if you walk down the street with a plastic bag, but there is a growing movement to resign the plastic bag to the history archives, as Aylsham steps forward to be Norfolk’s first plastic bag free town.

The town has always supported an amazing range of shops and businesses, including three butchers, two farmers markets each month, a twice weekly market and a good range of places to eat and drink. Now those businesses are coming together to take a further step forward, the banning of the plastic bag.

When does the big switch happen? Saturday 3rd May is the key date, after which customers are asked to bring their own shopping bags or pay for an environmentally friendly bag with their shopping.

Over 70 businesses have had the foresight to get involved with the scheme, from pharmacies to charity shops, from fish and chip shops to plant nurseries. Other businesses are preparing to join.

The working group, who developed the scheme and set the deadline of 3rd May, knew that there would always be people who didn’t like the idea. So it was decided that it was better to act with the vast majority than wait for a few who may never join. The working group includes Norfolk County Council, Broadland District Council, Aylsham Town Council, Aylsham Cittaslow, Aylsham Traders, the Aylsham Partnership and representatives from all over the town.

Budgens, who openly admit that in the past they probably gave out as many plastic bags as the rest of the traders put together, have already moved to paper bags for their fruit and veg, which residents are encouraged to compost. They’ve also removed the free plastic bags from the tills and further steps are on their way.

All three butchers in the town, G. F. White, Granville C Bond and J. S. Coxford, have signed up to the scheme. Crawford of G. F. White Butchers said, “I can’t give away a free plastic bag now, customers all come armed with their shopping bags.”

Norfolk County Council have arranged for every household in the town to have the opportunity to receive a free shopping bag, which they can pickup from the Market Place on Saturday 3rd May and Saturday 17th May. The designs of the bag were drawn by children at the Bure Valley School in Aylsham.

There will also be plastic bag amnesty bins around the town centre, where plastic bags can be placed and then sent off to be recycled. Plastic bag recycling bins will be in the town centre from Sat 26th April to Sat 24th May. Broadland District Council are arranging these.

Both Norfolk County Council and Broadland District Council are hoping that the experience of Aylsham becoming Plastic Bag FREE will help other towns make the transition.

Aylsham has its own website www.aylshamplasticbagfree.co.uk where the process of becoming plastic bag free has been documented and there are questions and answers for traders and customers. Traders can find suppliers of environmentally friendly bags on there, along with videos to help train staff.

As 3rd May draws near, the public becomes more aware, supporting businesses show their support with posters in their windows and Aylsham gets ready to take another historic step in it’s long and distinguished history.

End of Press Release

For more information on the Aylsham Plastic Bag FREE scheme, please contact:
Jason Borthwick
Aylsham Plastic Bag Free
Tel: 07776 254019
Email: enquiries@aylshamplasticbagfree.co.uk
Website: www.aylshamplasticbagfree.co.uk

Participating traders welcome press and film crews . If you are interested in visiting then town then please contact Jason, who will be happy to find interviewees, both customers and traders.

Traders who have signed up to the scheme to date include:

A & M Carpets, White Hart Street
Abbotts Murdock Opticians, Cawston Road
Alleycuts, Red Lion Street
Aylsham Antiques, Cawston Road
Aylsham Computers, Red Lion Street
Aylsham Country Market (Fridays in the Town Hall)
Aylsham Dry Cleaners, Red Lion Street
Aylsham Fun Barns, Henry Page Road
Aylsham Manor, Norwich Road
Aylsham Post Office, Hungate Street
Aylsham Windows and Conservatories, Aylsham Trading Estate
Black Sheep Ltd (Clothing), Blickling Road
Break Charity Shop, Market Place
Budgens Aylsham, Norwich Road
Bure Valley Plant, Brampton
Burebank Books, Red Lion Street
Celebrations (Cards), Market Place
Concept Carpets & Blinds
Cooks of Cawston Electrical Ltd, Dunkirk
Crystal Kindness (Natural Therapies), Red Lion Street
Doggie-dating.co.uk
Dunkirk Garage, Dunkirk
Earthly Ideas
Eastons Coaches, Stratton Strawless
Eclipse Hair Studio, Red Lion Street
Edward Jones, Norwich Road
Exquisite (Hairdressers), Red Lion Street
F C Gardner & Co, Red Lion Street
Food Lovers, Blickling Road
G. F. White Traditional Butchers, Red Lion Street
Get a Head Gardener
Gottersons Fish Bar, Cawston Road
Granville C Bond (Butcher and Fishmonger), Red Lion Street
Hansells Solicitors, Norwich Road
Harvey World Travel, Red Lion Street
Heatcraft Anglia Ltd, Burgh Road
J B Postle (Electricals), Market Place
J Christian (Jewellers), Red Lion Street
J. S. Coxford (Butchers), Market Place
JF & VA Newman (Photographers), Blofields Loke
Koffies Coffee Shop, Cawston Road
Lavenders Blue (Florist), Red Lion Street
Le Bon Bon (Sweet Shop), Red Lion Street
Lloyds Pharmacy, Market Place
M F Barnwell & Sons (Newsagents), Market Place
Nikki Nelson Opticians, Burgh Road
NPS Glazing Systems Ltd, Buxton
Pampered Pets, Red Lion Street
Porkies (Sandwiches), Red Lion Street
Richard Anders-Dungar Architectural Technologist
Richard Hair Design, Blofields Loke
Shoe Box, Blofields Loke
Simply "16" (Restaurant), Market Place
Sowerbys Estate Agents, Red Lion Street
St Jude's Gallery, Red Lion Street
Still Waters Beauty Therapy, Red Lion Street
The Bakehouse, Market Place
The Business Unisex Hair Salon, Red Lion Street
The Daisy Chain (Florist), Red Lion Street
The Little Clothes Shop, Red Lion Street
The Old Pump House, Holman Road
The Old Tea Rooms & Penny's from Heaven Bistro, Red Lion Street
The Plough Inn, Marsham
The Shoe Studio, Red Lion Street
Tops Group Limited (Estate Agents), Cawston Road
Visage Beauty Clinic, Blofields Loke
W G Oakes, Hungate Street Veterinary Surgery
Wagtails Petshop, Blofields Loke
Wolterton & Mannington Hall
Woodgate Nursery, Cawston Road

Plastic Bag Facts

An estimated 17 billion plastic bags are given out annually in the UK equating to about 280 bags per person with 200 million of them ending up as litter on our beaches, streets, and parks. We only manage to recycle one in every twenty of them on average and the rest can take anywhere between 500 to 1000 years to decompose. So, there really is no such thing as ‘throwing away’ a plastic bag. It simply means you don’t have to view it on a daily basis and that it is somewhere else on this planet.

The plastics industry is responsible for 8% of global oil consumption. This process of using the earth’s natural resources to produce items that are often used only once and then discarded is not sustainable and can’t continue indefinitely.

Nikki Nelson Opticians say it best!

Nikki Nelson Optician's are known for their creative window displays, thank you for the very visual support of Aylsham Plastic Bag FREE.

Look for this poster when shopping in Aylsham

When you are shopping in Aylsham, look for this poster. Traders who are supporting the scheme will be displaying this poster in their windows.

Traders who haven't got their poster and would like one should email enquiries@aylshamplasticbagfree.co.uk and we'll drop one off to you.

Norfolk town wants to be plastic bag free, Anglia News

Anglia News visit Aylsham to meet the traders and find out more about Aylsham becoming Norfolk's first Plastic Bag FREE town.

To watch the video click here: www.itvlocal.com/anglia

Other interesting and useful videos

Press Release, February 24th 2008

Press Release

Aylsham, Norfolk’s First ‘Plastic Bag FREE’ Town

www.aylshamplasticbagfree.co.uk

On Saturday 3rd May 2008, Aylsham will become Norfolk’s first ‘Plastic Bag FREE’ town.

Today sees the start of the countdown to this big switch from plastic, with 10 weeks to go.

Plastic bags are an unnecessary waste of resources using up precious oil, creating litter and being disposed of in their millions in landfill where they are slow to breakdown. Less bags mean a better, more sustainable environment. With this backdrop Aylsham decided to ‘go for it’ and be the first town in Norfolk aiming to be ‘plastic bag free’.

After a couple of public meetings, an Aylsham ‘Plastic Bag FREE’ working group was formed with representatives from the traders, Cittaslow, Aylsham Town Council, Broadland District Council and Norfolk County Council. The working group decided that they wanted Aylsham to be the first town and realised it was time to pick a date and work towards it.

The first step towards a plastic bag free town is encouraging traders in Aylsham to only supply alternatives to plastic bags to their customers. Already over 30 traders have pledged to encourage their customers to bring their own shopping bags and where required use biodegradable bags.

Of course the most important traders to get involved are the main users and suppliers of plastic bags like supermarkets and food shops. However support from other businesses is vital and the list of participating traders shows a good cross section.

Budgens, who probably use more bags than all the other traders in the town put together, have pledged to remove plastic bags from their store. Neil, the store manager, says they already use paper bags for fruit and vegetables, so they are looking at removing the dependence on carrier bags at the tills.

Crawford, of G F White Traditional Family Butchers, has also pledged to remove plastic bags, despite being tightly constrained by the health and hygiene rules. Of course putting a kilo of liver in a paper bag just isn’t an option, so Crawford is looking at alternative biodegradable bags for that type of produce.

J B Postle have different issues, as most people who visit their electrical store don’t have a shopping bag they can fit a toaster or kettle into. Nikki and John are sure they can find a way to keep their customers happy and stop using plastic bags.

Other shops who have taken the pledge include Aylsham Post Office, Burebank Books, J Christian Jewellers, Break Charity Shop, Shoe Box and Celebrations card shop. Hair dressers, beauticians, opticians, nurseries and an art gallery have all joined the scheme. A full list of traders who have made the pledge to be involved are listed on the website www.aylshamplasticbagfree.co.uk

Naturally some traders have concerns and questions about going ‘Plastic Bag FREE’. We’ve been reliant on plastic bags for so long now, that to switch appears expensive and most importantly a hassle. On the website we’ve tried to answer trader’s questions and we expect to add and edit the site constantly between now and 3rd May to help the process as much as possible. Cooperative buying of biodegradable alternatives to plastic bags is a possibility and traders are discussing the options.

Traders wanting to join the scheme are welcome to visit the website www.aylshamplasticbagfree.co.uk and download the letter of support.

End of Press Release

For enquiries about the Aylsham ‘Plastic Bag FREE’ scheme and a list of traders who are happy to be contacted by the press and media please contact:

Jason Borthwick
Tel: 07776 254019
Email: enquiries@aylshamplasticbagfree.co.uk
Website: www.aylshamplasticbagfree.co.uk

The contact at Norfolk County Council is:

Alun Housago
Tel: 01603 222089
Email: alun.housago@norfolk.gov.uk

The contact at Broadland District Council is:

Bob Wade
Tel: 01603 430572
Email: bob.wade@broadland.gov.uk

Further steps, which we will send updates about in due course, include:

Persuading shoppers in Aylsham to bring their own shopping bags with them and to not expect free plastic bags.

Every household in the town will receive a free shopping bag from Norfolk County Council.

Schools in and around Aylsham have been invited to get involved and school children drew the pictures that will appear on the free shopping bag.

Broadland District Council are planning a plastic bag amnesty to remove plastic bags from the system and have them recycled.

The Town Council and Aylsham Cittaslow are already involved with and support the working party.

Customer's Questions and Answers

We hope to answer many of the questions and concerns of customers on this page. We'll constantly add to the page and if you ask a question we'll try to answer it.

Why should I bring my own shopping bag?
Why not seems a simple answer? Everyone is effected by the waste problem which plastic bags cause, whether its unsightly hedgerows, water pollution or rubbish on beaches. With a little effort you can make a difference.

If I forget my shopping bag, how will I carry my shopping home?
Some shops will be able to sell you either a paper or corn starch bag for a few pence. Alternatively there may be a box available. There will be regular reminders around the town, so hopefully we'll all get into the habit of having a shopping bag with us.

I don't have a shopping bag?
Don't worry, you could always buy one from one of the many shops in Aylsham. If you live in Aylsham, then you'll have the opportunity to get a free bag from Norfolk County Council. You just need to visit the centre of Aylsham on either Saturday 3rd or Saturday 17th May to pick it up.

Why get rid of plastic bags?
Plastic doesn't break down, meaning it damages the environment and specifically our water systems (rivers, seas and oceans). Plastic bags not only cause problems when they are buried in landfill, but also blow around because they are light getting caught in trees and hedges and suffocating animals. We've become a nation of plastic addicts, which is having a really negative impact all around the world. Other countries have succeeded in banning plastic bags and we could easily do the same here if there was political will to do so, instead it's being left to individuals to do their own bit.

What am I going to use in my bin now?
You shouldn't be using plastic bags in your bin ever. They definitely go to land fill, which means there is no chance of them being recycled and so definitely cause pollution. Most people need some form of bin liner, but you should be using a 100% biodegradable bag rather than a plastic bag. That does mean spending a little money, but there are good biodegradable bags available.

Is recycling plastic bags a good idea?
Anything that stops plastic bags or any other plastic going to landfill is a good idea. However if we don't collect plastic bags with our shopping then there will be a lot less plastic in the system and that means there is even less chance of plastic ending up in landfill. Landfill is a very old way of dealing with rubbish, which was fine when the rubbish was all biodegradable and environment damaging products like plastic hadn't even been thought of.

If you have questions then please send them to enquiries@aylshamplasticbagfree.co.uk and we'll try to answer them as quickly as possible.

Trader's Questions and Answers

We hope to answer many of the questions and concerns of traders on this page. We'll constantly add to the page and if you ask a question we'll try to answer it.

The guy in this short video explains very clearly why we should give up plastic bags and consider the environment, so please do watch.





How do I persuade my customers to bring their own bags?
As you will know, many customers are already bringing their own bags. Every participating trader will receive a poster for their window, advertising the fact that the trader doesn't give out plastic bags and encouraging customers to bring their own shopping bags. Every household in Aylsham will receive a free shopping bag from Norfolk County Council and there will be a lot of press and media coverage over the next few months to encourage the use of non plastic reusable shopping bags.

Paper and corn starch bags are more expensive than plastic bags?
True, but the larger the bulk they are bought in, the cheaper they become. Crawford at Whites Butchers on Red Lion Street has ordered corn starch bags and found that they are about £3 more per 1000 than normal bags. If you tell us the size of the bags and the numbers of bags you require, then we will try to coordinate this with other traders to create economies of scale.
Remember though, that we are trying to encourage customers not to ask for bags at all, instead use their own shopping bags. Also because more customers will have their own shopping bags, you won't need as many bags to give out to customers, so take that into account when you let us know the kind of numbers of bags you think you may require. Remember that the cost of a years supply of your normal bags is nothing in comparison to the cost of advertising, so getting involved and the associated press coverage will be a positive gain financially.

What's the point?
Aylsham is a historic market town, which has played its part in history and now supports a diverse range of traders. This is an opportunity to bring together the traders to work to a common goal and receive recognition it in the press and other media. If Aylsham can be the first town in Norfolk then there will be more press coverage and better PR for the participating traders. Many customers will reward you with better custom if they see you are trying to reduce your environmental impact.

If we don't use plastic bags what do we use for food hygiene, waterproof bags, bin liners, and bags for dog poo?
Simple answer = cornstarch bags.
They look like plastic, feel like plastic and act like plastic, but are made from a vegetable base and totally compostable.
Please read the bottom half of the Modbury "bag info" page to find out why putting food waste in plastic bags for the dustman is seriously adding to landfill problems (According to WRAP), and has the danger of creating methane. - "Bag info page"
Plus here is a link to a really useful BBC page that lists environmental ways to clean up after your dog (these idea's can be applied for cats too). Website
To find wholesalers details please click here Wholesaler page

What has this campaign done for trade in Modbury, Britain's first Plastic Bag Free town?
Well it certainly hasn't harmed trade.
Before writing the answer to this question, Rebecca, the main campaigner, went and asked several of the traders what they thought. As ever it depends on who you ask. If their shop was more geared towards the tourist market they seem to have done pretty well; but if their business is not aimed at that market then it seems to be business as usual.
None of the traders have said it has brought a loss to the town, and all agreed with the tourist information that it has brought a lot more foot traffic to the streets to see how we do it.
So to round up - we haven't seen a huge boost to the trade, more a small bounce but it has not deterred or put customers off one bit.
However each trader Rebecca talked to said the same thing when she asked him or her this question. "Rebecca you know we didn't do it for that reason why are people asking this?" Simple, Rebecca knows people ask this question because they need to reassure their traders that by taking on this campaign they are not going to be out of pocket.

What if a trader wants their name printed on their own bag?
Fine, if a trader wants their own bag printed then great, however the advice from Modbury is if they want to do that then that's up to them; don't get involved its not your job. Remember the key to Modbury's success is that they work as a collective not as individuals competing against each other.

Why do you charge for your disposable bags?
One of the most important reasons for charging is to discourage customers from using them. There are also practical considerations: a sustainably manufactured alternative to a plastic bag is always going to be more expensive to produce. Plastic bags can be purchased for as little 8 for a penny making "free" give-away a financial possibility for the smallest trader. However, more ethical alternatives like cornstarch and paper can be anything from 4 pence a bag and upwards. No small business can afford to give them away with every purchase. The initial decision in Modbury to charge for bags was not an easy one to make for fear of alienating customers who were so accustomed to getting a free bag. However, time has shown it was definitely the correct decision. It has allowed the campaign to be successful and made the important point to customers that there is, in fact, no such thing as a free bag. Just because costs are hidden doesn't mean they don't exist. And, just to re-iterate, hardly anyone has complained about having to purchase a bag.

Should the traders train their staff before the changeover?
Absolutely, we highly recommend you do this. Remember, the first question often "what is wrong with plastic bags I like them". Many staff and shop assistants may still think that way so its really wise to get the traders to give at least a briefing. Better still, if businesses can really get their staff to understand the root of all of this and why Aylsham is doing it. The stance the traders and their staff take in Modbury is not to apologize for the charges. Be proud of Aylsham Plastic Bag FREE and stand firm.



Recommended Alternative Bag Wholesalers

Modbury in Devon (Britains first plastic bag free town) have credited the wholesalers below as supplying a product that has been ethically sourced.

You may well find cheaper products on the market BUT are they ethical and actually that good for the environment, or do they just say they are?

For further information please visit http://www.blogger.com/www.plasticbagfree.com/baginfo.php

However if you want to make your life easy, the wholesalers below have been vetted and vetted and vetted again about the product they supplied before they were used in Modbury.

1) The Supplier of the ‘official’ Modbury Bag
Bags2Keep
POBox 55
Torpoint
Cornwall
PL11 3WY
UK
Tel : +44 1579 349005
Mob : +44 7802 386384
Email: rod.baker@btconnect.com
http://www.bags2keep.co.uk/



2) Water Based Ink Printers
Lorna Wiles Textiles Unit 7
Restormel Industrial Estate
Lostwithiel
Cornwall
PL22 0HG
UK
TeL: +441208 873666
Contact: Jon & Sumita Sinkins

3) Supplier of the Cornstarch Bags (England and Wales only)
Biobag Limited
Comet Road
Moss Side Industrial Estate
Leyland
Lancashire
PR26 7PF
UK
Tel: +44 1772 641 348
Fax: +44 1772 621 065
Email: biobag@btconnect.com
http://www.biobag.no/default.pl?showPage=246



4) Supplier of string bags
Turtle Bags
1 Hardcastle Villas
Worcester Road
Stourport on Severn
Worcestershire
DY13 9PA
UK
Tel: +44 1299 827092/ +44 1299 827092
Email: turtle.bags@yahoo.co.uk
http://www.turtlebags.co.uk/



5) Supplier of FSC Paper bags
Carrier Bag Shop
Unit C18,
Hastingwood Trading Estate
Harbet Road
London
N18 3HU
UK
Tel: +44 870-777-7673
Email: info@carrierbagshop.co.uk
http://www.carrierbagshop.co.uk/environment.htm



Other Plastic Alternative products:

1) Suppliers of the cornstarch food containers, and food wraps
London Biopackaging
Unit 42, Pall Mall Deposit
124-128 Barlby Road
London
W10 6BL
UK
Tel:+44 20 8969 8086
Fax:+44 20 8969 8183
Email: info@londonbiopackaging.com
http://www.londonbiopackaging.com/



2) Supplier of Bio floristry wrapping materials
Jet Supplies Ltd Unit 7b
Burnett Industrial Estate
Cox's Green
Wrington
North Somerset
BS40 5QR
UK
Tel: +441934 862200
Fax: +441934 862277
Email: sales@jetsupplies.co.uk
(Sourced by our Florist)
http://www.jetsupplies.co.uk/index.php



Suppliers who have been in contact with Aylsham Plastic Bag Free include:

The Biodegradable Bag Company Ltd - http://www.biodegradablebag.co.uk/

Comp Bio Products Ltd - http://www.comp-bio.co.uk/


Biopac (UK) Ltd - http://www.biopac.co.uk/

If you have questions then please send them to enquiries@aylshamplasticbagfree.co.uk and we'll try to answer them as quickly as possible.

If you are a trader and would like to take part then please download the Letter of Support we ask you to fill out - Click here to download the Letter of Support

Plastic Pollution in Our Oceans

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Plastic facts - The problem with plastic bags

• A person uses a plastic carrier bag on average for only 12 minutes.

• A plastic bag can take between 500 to 1000 years to break down in the environment.

• In the UK at least 200 million plastic bags end up as litter on our beaches, streets and parks ever year.

• When a plastic bag enters the ocean it becomes a harmful piece of litter. Many marine animals mistake plastic bags for food and swallow them, with painful and often fatal consequences.

• Remember when changing from a plastic bag to an alternative, make sure the alternative does less harm to the environment than a plastic bag would. This is from the bags creation to its disposal. Otherwise it begs the question, what is the point in changing over?

• The world uses more than 1.2 trillion plastic bags a year - an average of about 300 bags for every adult, or 1m bags used per minute.

• On average, we use each plastic bag for 12 minutes before discarding it. It then can last in the environment for decades.

• 47% of windborne litter escaping from landfills is plastic - much of it plastic bags.

• About 80% of all marine rubbish comes from off the land, and nearly 90% is plastic. In June 2006 the UN environment programme estimated that there were an average of 46,000 pieces of plastic debris floating on or near the surface of every square mile of ocean.

• Plastic bag litter is lethal in the marine environment, killing at least 100,000 birds, whales, seals and turtles every year. After an animal is killed by plastic bags, its body decomposes and the plastic is released back into the environment, where it can kill again.

• A report, Plastic Debris in the World's Oceans, by Greenpeace, suggests that at least 267 marine species are known to have suffered from entanglement or ingestion of marine debris. An estimated 1 million seabirds choke or get tangled in plastic nets or other debris every year.

• Countries and cities that have banned or discouraged the use of plastic bags include: Australia, Bangladesh, Ireland, Italy, Taiwan, Mumbai, Scotland, France, West Bengal, Zanzibar, Tanzania, Switzerland, Rwanda, Denmark, Germany, South Africa, California, Somalia, Botswana, Philippines.

• Plastic bags do not biodegrade, they photodegrade - break down into smaller and smaller bits, contaminating soil, waterways and oceans, and entering the food chain when ingested by animals.

Patagonia Oceans As Wilderness - Synthetic Seas