With Christmas shopping in full swing, South Tyneside Council is urging residents to say no to plastic bags.
Around 10 billion bags were given away in the UK in 2008 - about 10 bags a week for every household and enough to fill nearly 200 Olympic sized swimming pools.
Reducing the number of bags people use not only helps reduce litter and landfill, but also helps lower the carbon emissions produced during their manufacture and the amount of raw materials used.
Tips for remembering to re-use bags when going shopping include:
- keeping bags the boot of your car;
- always having one in your handbag;
- using a bag caddy and putting it by your door;
- hanging them on the back door so you can grab them on the way out.
It's easy to help reduce the number of bags distributed by reusing carrier bags and using longer-lasting reusable shopping bags, also known as "bags for life".
For more information go to www.southtyneside.info/wasteandrecycling or phone 0191 427 7000 Monday- Friday 8am-8pm; Saturday 9am-1pm
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