Carrier bag agreement signed (From The Northern Echo)

Carrier bag agreement signed

10:45pm Sunday 29th June 2008 in

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A GROUNDBREAKING agreement aimed at reducing the distribution of single-use carrier bags has been officially launched in Durham City.

The Co-op and Vision Express became the first signatories of the Durham Agreement - committing themselves to removing free single-use bags from sight at the till, and only to give free bags when specifically requested, from September 5.

The agreement further commits retailers to work towards ceasing to hand out free carrier bags - both plastic and paper - and to encouraging shoppers to use more durable bags.

The signing ceremony at Durham University's Hatfield College was presided over by Durham Bag Reduction Partnership patron Bill Bryson and attended by other partnership members - including Durham City's Labour MP Roberta Blackman-Woods and Lib Dem MEP Fiona Hall.

"This is part of a step to making Durham the cleanest city in Britain and a leader in discouraging the distribution of single-use carrier bags."

Bill Bryson

Mr Bryson, the popular travel writer and chancellor of Durham University, said: "This is part of a step to making Durham the cleanest city in Britain and a leader in discouraging the distribution of single-use carrier bags.

"I think it would be wonderful for Durham to be a model for the whole of the country - not just in terms of plastic bags, but all litter. This is a good idea but only a start."

Dr Blackman-Woods said: "It is absolutely essential that we get supermarkets and other shops on board to stop providing free plastic bags - they cause so much damage to the environment.

"This agreement is something Durham can lead the way on."

She added the partnership had invited all schools to design a logo for a re-usable Durham bag, which will be on sale in participating retailers from September.

Ms Hall said: "UK consumers use an estimated ten billion bags or 167 per person a year - an unnecessary and wasteful amount, which causes untold damage to the environment and wildlife across Britain.

"I hope the Durham Agreement is a great success in persuading people to enter into a more long term relationship with their shopping bags."

Co-op area manager Michael Boucher said: "This agreement fits in with what we are doing at the moment - taking away visual displays of free carriers bags and offering Fairtrade and bags for life instead."