War on waste sets up plastic bag amnesty (From Andover Advertiser)

War on waste sets up plastic bag amnesty

4:50pm Saturday 4th July 2009

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A WAR was declared on plastic bags in Basingstoke.

Shoppers were encouraged to trade them in for their reusable counterparts as part of the borough council’s effort for National Recycle Week between June 22 to 28.

There was a series of six roadshows in key areas of the town with the theme of “Let’s Waste Less”, and Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council officers were on hand to assist with top tips and advice on waste reduction.

As part of the roadshows a plastic bag amnesty was held at Basingstoke Railway Station on Thursday where more than 300 shoppers were given reusable bags in exchange for plastic bags, courtesy of Veolia Environ-mental Services – the borough council’s waste and recycling collection contractor.

Borough Cabinet member for the environment and climate change, Councillor Elaine Still, said: “We are delighted by the public’s response to National Recycle Week.

“Our officers talked to hundreds of people about how to reduce their waste.

“This successful campaign sets a wonderful platform for us to continue to raise awareness of recycling in the borough and to educate more people on how quick and easy it is.”

The roadshow tour kicked off at the Civic Offices before moving to Asda at Brighton Hill the following day.

As well as the bag amnesty, shoppers at Sainsbury’s, in Hatch Warren, received information about the battle against fly-tipping and litter from the borough’s environmental enforcement team.

During the week of events, Deborah Gillman, from the Waste and Resources Action Programme, was also at Chineham Shopping centre to answer people’s questions.

The tour concluded at Festival Place on Saturday.

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