Bags of hope for the planet selling well

9:00am Monday 11th August 2008

WALLINGFORD'S new eco-bag is selling steadily as people get the message that plastic bags are something they can do without.

The town information centre reported good sales since it was launched last month.

Mayor Alec Hayton said the bag was the town's contribution to helping save the planet and making Wallingford a plastic-bag-free community.

It comes with impressive green credentials - the material, ink, where it is sourced, sustainability, work ethics, biodegradability and carbon footprint have all come under scrutiny from a town council working party and from green group Sustainable Wallingford.

The logo was designed by Leo Kerrigan, from Wallingford School, and the slogan 'We can save the world' came from Esme Maddock and Saule Sceponabicinte, of St John's School.

Theresa Jordan, who spearheaded the campaign for a Wallingford bag, said: "The motto of the planet conservationists is 'Think Globally but Act Locally'. The eco-bag is our small local contribution helping towards solving the global problem of climate change."

The launch in Market Place was accompanied by Wallingford Choir performing pieces from Ocean World and youngsters from St John's School showed off the work they did on their plastic bag project.

The eco-bag was sponsored by the town council with a £2,500 grant, which will be repaid from bag sales.

There are two sizes of eco-bag and they can be bought for £1.40 and £3.40 from the town information centre under the town hall, the council offices and other town centre outlets.