Plastic Bag Free Hebden Bridge

Home

plasticbagfree Hebden Bridge - a reality?

Free Window Stickers for all participating shops!

We have been in contact with 'We are what we do' who have some very groovy 'Plastic Aint My Bag' window stickers to see if we can buy any off them to give to our traders and they are getting back to us.. They would also like to show photos of our pbf traders on their website.. We are part of a national campaign now! (and international..)

The most up-to-date info we have is that there are 59 shops now plasticbagfree, 17 that offer a cotton/paper/ corn starch alternative to their plastic bags and 27 who are still giving out free new plastic bags for a variety of reasons...

Could we draw your attention to the fantastically informative Modbury website that may be able to change the minds of those who are not yet convinced..see the link>

But the most significant shift must be the changes in the Hebden Bridge shopper... it may not be scientific or quantifiable.. but don't you think Hebden Bridge shoppers have changed their shopping habits?! Everywhere you go you can witness how they have embraced the initiative and are going shopping prepared with their own bags. Hurray!

We hope that all traders in the town will benefit commercially from the raised profile of the town!

On 1^st September 2007 the majority of Hebden Bridge traders stopped issuing new plastic bags when goods are purchased. In an attempt to reduce household waste and environmental pollution we are encouraging all Hebden Bridge shoppers to bring their own shopping bags.

For those shoppers who forget to bring a bag there will be an alternative. These bags have the properties of a "plastic" carrier bag, but have the following advantages:

plant starch based

home compostable BUT they will cost shoppers 5p!

We are urging residents to use any remaining plastic bags to sort their recycling for Kerbside recycling collection. And recycle ALL your plastic at EKKO by the ATC on the canal tow path.

We feel passionate about making a real contribution towards reducing the level of plastic entering our soils and waterways. We want to take a small but significant step towards preserving the beautiful enviroment we live in and the world at large.

We hope you will support and join us.

^{SO, WE ARE SAYING...}

^{YES TO PAPER}
^{YES TO CORN STARCH}
^{YES TO RECYCLED PLASTIC BAGS}
^{AND YES YES YES TO ALL REUSABLE SHOPPING BAGS AND TROLLEYS!}

Last Updated ( Monday, 26 November 2007 )

Corn Starch Carrier Bags

All shops in Hebden Bridge can purchase corn starch carrier bags from 'The Green Shop' next to the ATC on the canal towpath or from Bio Bags Ltd direct (see Bag Suppliers). Please give plenty of notice for future supplies required.

THEY ARE 100% COMPOSTABLE and BIODEGRADABLE. The marine biologists Modbury consulted believe these are the best product on the market at the moment.. if you know different - please let us know!

Ultimately we want to find a different product than this because we don't want a food crop to be grown to provide us with carriers ..so we are asking for your patience! We think we have found the best product on the market to date for our traders ..we shall keep you posted

Last Updated ( Thursday, 01 November 2007 )

Campaign sponsors


The Co-operative Group	Recycle for Calderdale	Hebden Royd Town Coucil

The plasticbagfree campaign has been financially supported by the above organisations

But we are indebted to so many individuals, to list but a few; Mark Crowther from Suma for his wonderful graphics, Leigh Mulvaney-Johnson for his stirling work on the website, Jason Elliott from Ethical Business Network, Heidi and Vicky from Rubyshoesday, Helen and Sarah from Spirals, Nancy from Organic House, Jason Boom (Enviromental Warden and good egg), Tony Preston from the HBBA, Abby from the Green Shop and Polly from the ATC, Trades Club, Bar Place, Linda Gomila from the Co-op, Kerbside, Home Recycling, Heptonstall PO and May's Shop for starting the ball rolling...
and to all those who have cheered the campaign along and helped in any way they could,
bags all of you...thank you

And to all the wonderful traders and shop keepers of Hebden Bridge who have placed their faith in a plasticbagfree Hebden Bridge..helping to save the world
- one bag at a time

Last Updated ( Tuesday, 18 September 2007 )

"I don't want a plastic bag thank you, I've got my own bag here"

Seminar

Sat 1^st Dec 2007

How to go plasticbagfree in your town

Modbury, Devon

The traders in Modbury, Devon, were the pioneers of plastic bag free. Please look at their site too by following the link from this site.

Message in the waves

Watch the Message in the Waves trailer

This powerful BBC documentary has triggered a strong desire to reduce the environmental impact of our waste. Plastic carrier bags are really only part of the story, but they are an item that you the consumer can easily take out of the waste stream by simply using an alternative.

BBC Look North

See the BBC Look North item for the campaign. (16 July 2007)

[Courtesy of HebWeb ]

Bag Ladies Mission Statement

The bag ladies is a not for profit community group that exists in order to assist the traders of Hebden Bridge in finding a practical alternative to plastic bags that damage the environment and contribute to climate change. The vision is for a plasticbagfree Hebden Bridge. The objectives are:

To work with Hebden Bridge traders, residents, visitors to the town and with other partners to inform people of the problems with plastic bags.
To promote practical and environmentally friendly alternatives
To conduct research into alternatives
To promote the town and its traders as a plasticbagfree area
To celebrate the towns plasticbagfree achievements

The 'bag ladies' as a group has been a useful media friendly 'vehicle' to promote this campaign.. but we do not own it! If you have strong ideas on how to take the campaign forward then please contact us . We do not wish to hold on tightly to this initiative - afterall we did not start it, we followed Modbury's lead!

- or just go ahead and make changes happen, whether as a trader or a shopper.. and good luck!

Discussion forum

Air your views on the HebWeb discussion forum