Hello,
Cambridge Friends of the Earth latest campaign is a campaign inspired by the Modbury Bag Ladies to make Cambridge a plastic carrier-bag free zone.
The Modbury Bag Ladies’ story can be read in full at: http://www.plasticbagfree.com/
You can watch the film that set Rebecca Hoskings off on her quest for a plastic bag free Modbury here: http://www.messageinthewaves.com/
To read more about the story that inspired us please check out: http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2007/sep/22/recycling
We have our work cut out for us because by comparison to Modbury – 43 traders – we have a vast number of shops to persuade to change their habits.
We will be following the Modbury model which is:
1 Do it yourself, or with a group. Don’t rely on councils or supermarkets.
2 Get the trust of the traders. Approach them directly. A handout is not enough.
3 Gauge public support to encourage supermarkets and multiples to take part.
4 Learn about what plastics are doing to the environment.
5 Research every type of alternative bag on the market.
6 Set a date.
We will be having a meeting to work out a co-ordinated schedule for talking to shop keepers and traders. One idea we like is to try to get the traders in Mill Road to go plastic bag free first.
When we have the date, venue and details for the meeting we will let you know. It will be as soon as we can possibly make it and we will have regular meetings following the first one.
In the meantime please pass this message on to anyone and everyone you know, including to friends and neighbours who do not have internet access, and read all the articles you can find on the subject.
Plus, crucially, please do some research, for instance:
- what kinds of alternative bags can be bought, what are they made of, what happens during the manufacturing process, are the bags fairly traded, how far do they have to be transported and how much do they cost, how strong are they, what sizes are they available in?
- what is the environmental impact on the earth, animals, water system, and humans of plastic bags?
- why are biodegradable bags are not a compromise solution?
You could also very usefully make a list of all the traders you know personally or visit regularly.
With all the the relevant facts and figures available when we start talking to traders and shop keepers we will not be easily put off when someone challenges us.
If you have any questions which you can’t find the answers to in the articles and links in this message, please do get in touch with me via this email address or at: camfoe@telinco.co.uk
Many Thanks,
Lulu Agate
Co-ordinator Cambridge Friends of the Earth
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