Dear All
You may be interested to know that Sustainable Oban have just sent off a letter to find out a bit more about Tesco's free biodegradable plastic carrier bags.
Here's the letter:
Tesco Customer Service
PO Box 73
Baird Avenue
Dryburgh Industrial Estate
Dundee
DD1 9NF
Dear Madam, dear Sir
Re: "Biodegradable" plastic carrier bags from Tesco Stores
In view of the upcoming UK PLASTIC-BAG FREE DAY on 12th September, we have noted with interest that Tesco Oban now give away "biodegradable" plastic bags.
Some of our members would be most interested to know a little more about the source and composition of these plastic bags.
We would also be interested to know whether Tesco Oban have managed to bring down the use of free plastic bags over the past year or so, and if so, by how much. It is our personal impression that the environs of Tesco Oban continue to be blighted by plastic refuse, either tossed away by customers or strewn about because the bins placed in various spots on the car park are not wind or gull proof.
Looking forward to receiving your comments, we remain
yours sincerely
Margaret Powell-Joss, Secretary
PS: This letter will also be posted on http://obanplasticbagfree.blogspot.com, where we will be happy to post your reply upon receipt.
Tuesday 18 August 2009
Wednesday 12 August 2009
Spread the word: one Oban shop has donated generously to charity
I would like to share this feedback received on 11th August from Gwyneth Neal at House & Home Oban. Very many thanks, Gwyneth, and congratulations on your imaginative scheme and generosity!
Dear Margaret
At House and Home in Oban we've been discouraging the use of plastic bags for almost
eighteen months. We always ask "Do you need a bag?" and never just hand out bags.
We also placed a charge of 10p on plastic carriers.
We don't keep the money but have a local charity nominated every month and leave a jar
on the counters to collect the money. We have given over £700 to various local charities, reduced our plastic usage by a half (to the point that the Edinburgh company we bought from has closed) and all in all feel we are doing our bit towards the environment.
We've been shouted at by regular customers who feel we've a cheek to charge for bags and
accused of trying to increase our profit with the charge but in the main most people are
willing to pay and we've found that more and more folk are coming in with their own bags.
Eighteen months has seen big changes. It would be good if all the shops did the same!
Regards
Gwyneth
Tuesday 11 August 2009
12th September is fast approaching. Here's what YOU can do
Hello there
As you may know, 12th September is UK Plastic-Bag Free Day. May I suggest that each and every one of you respectfully ask at least one shopkeeper in your town not to give out any plastic bags on that day? You can do so by speaking to the shopkeeper, or by sending them a politely-worded letter, like this (please feel free to adapt). Very many thanks for your support.
(Sender's address)
(Date)
12th September 2009 is UK Plastic-Bag Free Day
Dear Madam, dear Sir
[better still: Dear (your shopkeeper's first name)]
As one of your regular customers and as someone who is interested in sustainable living and caring for our environment, I would like to ask you
Although the number of bags given out by Scottish supermarkets has been halved over the last three years, the UK is still among the countries with the highest consumption of "disposable" plastic bags. Such bags are not usually biodegradable and, when thrown away, blight the environment and maim and kill our birds and wildlife, especially sea creatures such as turtles, seals and dolphins. It is perhaps a less well-known fact that plastic detritus accumulates toxins which, when ingested by sea creatures, slowly make their way up the food chain. When they end up in the human body, they have all kinds of negative effects, not least on human fertility.
Thank you for helping us make the UK a plastic-bag free country.
Yours sincerely
(Your signature and name)
PS: For more information, visit http://obanplasticbagfree.blogspot.com/
As you may know, 12th September is UK Plastic-Bag Free Day. May I suggest that each and every one of you respectfully ask at least one shopkeeper in your town not to give out any plastic bags on that day? You can do so by speaking to the shopkeeper, or by sending them a politely-worded letter, like this (please feel free to adapt). Very many thanks for your support.
(Sender's address)
(Date)
(Shopkeeper's name and address)
12th September 2009 is UK Plastic-Bag Free Day
Dear Madam, dear Sir
[better still: Dear (your shopkeeper's first name)]
As one of your regular customers and as someone who is interested in sustainable living and caring for our environment, I would like to ask you
not to give out any free "disposable" plastic bags on
Saturday, 12th September 2009.
Saturday, 12th September 2009.
Although the number of bags given out by Scottish supermarkets has been halved over the last three years, the UK is still among the countries with the highest consumption of "disposable" plastic bags. Such bags are not usually biodegradable and, when thrown away, blight the environment and maim and kill our birds and wildlife, especially sea creatures such as turtles, seals and dolphins. It is perhaps a less well-known fact that plastic detritus accumulates toxins which, when ingested by sea creatures, slowly make their way up the food chain. When they end up in the human body, they have all kinds of negative effects, not least on human fertility.
Thank you for helping us make the UK a plastic-bag free country.
Yours sincerely
(Your signature and name)
PS: For more information, visit http://obanplasticbagfree.blogspot.com/
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