Bin those bags bid moves nearer

Jan 17 2008 by David Himelfield, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

MELTHAM is two steps closer to becoming plastic bag-free.

Residents and businesses hope to establish an action group to cut the carrier bag.

Former Meltham Town Council member John Bakanoba says he will be carrying out a consultation to gauge public opinion before setting up the group.

He added: “We want to approach as many people as possible in the community, shopkeepers, community groups and churches.

“I’ve been talking to people casually and they’ve mostly been supportive. We also hope to receive support from Kirklees Council.

“We plan to start work in February and we’ll be drumming out our message to the community.”

The town Council has also had a letter this week from supermarket chain Morrisons agreeing to cut back on plastic bags and encourage shoppers to adopt a bag for life.

Its store on Station Street is the biggest retailer in Meltham.

Holme Valley North Kirklees Clr David Woodhead says the response from other town traders, including the Co-op has been encouraging.

He said: “Morrisons is the big one. So far they’ve been ambivalent, but customer pressure will move them along the road.

“It’s not going to be immediate. We still have to start the campaign. Some people say they like plastic bags for other reasons, but we did without them in the past, when everyone has their own shopping bag.

“We’re one or two steps along the road but there’s still a few miles to go.”

And Greenfield, near Saddleworth, could be following suit.

Clr Ken Hulme, chairman of Saddleworth Parish Council’s Environment sub-committee, has called for fellow councillors to ban plastic bags from the town.

He has supported proposals of the Greenfield and Grasscroft Residents’ Association to make the village plastic bag-free.

Under the Spirit of Greenfield banner the association plans to replace plastic bags with cloth bags in two sizes.

Clr Hulme said: “This is a terrific suggestion from the association.

“I will be asking my colleagues on the parish council to do all they can to support it and to work with the association and community and business groups to extend a plastic bag-free zone to other villages.

“We want to discuss measures we can all take in Saddleworth and the rest of the borough to offset climate change. I am sure many more practical and sensible proposals, like a plastic bag ban, will emerge.”