Local News

14 September 2009 by Zac Goldsmith

Phase out plastic bags!

Conservative parliamentary candidate Zac Goldsmith today joined calls for Richmond to become a plastic bag free Borough. The environmentalist urged local businesses throughout the borough to follow Kew’s example.



Over 50 local shops signed up to a scheme last year in Kew to phase out the plastic bag. Biodegradable cornstarch bags are offered instead on request at stores.

Mr Goldsmith said:

“Of all the waste we generate, plastic bags are perhaps the greatest symbol of our throwaway society. They are used, then forgotten, and they leave a terrible legacy. The figures are shocking. Each year 13bn bags are used and thrown away in the UK. Each bag will be used for an average of 20 minutes, and, once discarded, will take up to 1,000 years to decompose.

“Kew’s small shops have shown us the way forward. Now shops throughout Richmond have an opportunity to pioneer the green agenda by signing up to a voluntary code.”

The local Tesco supermarket in Kew is one of the few stores in the ward that still stocks the plastic type. Mr Goldsmith recently accompanied a group of primary school children to the shop to try and persuade the supermarket giant to sign up fully to the existing local scheme. The store manager promised to pass on the children’s concerns to Head Office.