Islington News: Green Fruit and Vegetables | Newington Green | Orlando Jopling

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Islington Tribune - by ROISIN GADELRAB
Published: 1 August 2008

Green scheme to carry on as shop bins plastic bags

A SHOP called Green Fruit and Vegetables is the first in Newington Green to go plastic bag-free permanently following the recent week-long ban, it was announced this week.
The shop will sell potato starch bags at cost price to those who do not bring their own bag, and will give out paper bags for free.
Orlando Jopling, spokesman for the Newington Green shoppers who campaigned to ban plastic bags, said: “This is a courageous decision by our greengrocer, who used to give out 2,000 plastic bags every week. It shows that freeing ourselves from the plastic bag curse is easily achievable, and sets a challenge for every small shop in London.”
Five shops out of 36 that took part in the ban have yet to give out a plastic bag since the trial ended. The local Tesco Express is encouraging customers to bring in re-usable bags,
More than 250 residents helped build a 16-metre long whale from willow on the Green to highlight marine deaths from plastic bags, and 1,312 people pledged to give up using plastic bags in return for a free cotton bag funded by Islington Council.
Campaigners plan to set a date this autumn when the whole area will be completely free from single-use disposable plastic bags.
Mr Joppling added: “Newington Green shops used to give out over one million plastic bags every year, each bag a potential serial [animal] killer if it gets blown into the sea from landfill. It will be a huge triumph to stop this insane waste of resources.”

* More information at www. plasticbagfreenewingtongreen.blogspot.com/

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