Hi, my name is Lesley and I am a mum to 3 small children (5,3and 2) aswell as being a self-employed consultant for an organisation dealing in chemical-free products. I have recently become increasing aware of the environmental impact plastic bags are having on the world and believe that something so simple as refusing to accept plastic bags any more can have a seriously positive effect on the environment - as long as alternative options are made simply and cheaply available to the public. it was with this in mind that I decided to start up my own campaign in Calverley, Leeds to make us the first village in the City to become Plastic bag Free. To date I have gained the full and on-going support of Leeds City Council, both Calverley Primary Schools and a number of private individuals and local groups (eg scouts etc). We have started to contact reusable bag suppliers and have also made contact with a fab orgaqnisation who have offered to work with us to produce a sculpture out of all the Plastic bags we get when we run the Plastic bag Amnesty in the spring/summer. Things are still in their infancy and all useful comments, offers of support, help, advice etc will be gratefully received. We have also now started up a website and will be running a blog on their supported by members of the community and the schools so I will keep you all uptodate with details of that.
It doesn't take much to make something happen. If it is something you would like to do get the support of your local people and ask them to run a piece asking for local people to contact you. it took less than a week for me to have a team together and less than a week after that the website is being constructed, the schools are on board and things are happening. Do not underestimate the local spirit!
And remember - EVERY PIECE OF PLASTIC WE HAVE EVER MADE IS STILL WITH US! - food for thought.
If you can help in any way please drop me a line or two.