Harborough gives away reusable bags

Last weekend, a local campaign against the use of plastic bags got a boost. Over 1,000 reusable bags were handed out to shoppers at the town centre in Harborough district. The district is being assisted in their anti-plastic campaign by the Mail.

Last Friday, Harborough Improvement Team’s Environment group gathered at The Square in order to hold a roadshow.

The event organizers estimated that there were 1,200 reusable bags distributed during the course of the day where despite bag weather, 512 people pledged their support to the cause.

Mary Danks, chairman of the environment group, said: “I feel it was a real success, in spite of the rain. I’d like to thank the people of Harborough for the support they have shown and the environment group for their enthusiasm which has helped make it a success.”

Part of the event involved granting an amnesty to plastic bags, encouraging shoppers to drop off their old plastic bags and rewarding them with a variety of prizes. Prizes included books about the environment and trendy reusable shopping bags.

Stalls staffed by members of the Leicestershire County and Harborough District councils gave out recycling advice and free prizes made of recycled goods.

The event is just the tip of the iceberg according to Chris Seward, who said that the campaign to reduce plastic bag waste locally had just began. Other plans include developing a braded Harborough reusable bag and starting a “bag-in-a-box’ scheme to loan out shopping bags.

On June 14th, the group will staff a Green Network stall at the local Carnival and continue giving away shopping bags.

Mr Sewart said: “We are now working on following-up the event with initiatives and projects to continue to raise awareness about plastic bag use and the alternatives available.”