April 2010 About Ventbag
Over the past two years we have seen the Ventbag campaign result in a very large decrease in the use of plastic bags around Ventnor. The original objective of the project is being achieved. The Ventbag project has now expanded into other areas of local environment interest. We are also re building our web site to become a portal, for environmental activity in Ventnor.
The litter picking element of Ventbag, was started by one of our founders Lesley. She won the first CPRE (Campaign for the Protection of Rural England) litter picking award on the Island. Her commitment to this continues daily (sadly) and is as important as ever.
Sheila, another founder creates Morsbags (www.morsbags.com) every Friday in a public workshop and has ensured that Ventnor maintains 5th position worldwide in the production of Morsbags, made from unwanted fabric and given away free. She has created and given away over 2400 bags.
Since we formed 2.5 years ago, we have changed the outlook of our campaign.
Considering that we are fortunate enough to live within a democracy and also have freedom of speech and choice. We also live in a town with a considerable number of private retailers alongside the larger companies. Boots, Co-op etc.
It is crucial to take into account that small business possibly struggling in today’s market. Not to try to impose an ideal that could have a heavy financial impact. (e.g. if you already have a stock of plastic bags, or cannot source alternative replacements at affordable prices) Plastic bags being extremely cheap.
We therefore decided to promote education on the downside of the plastic bag, along with the philosophy of the three Rs (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle)
There are lots of points to look at when promoting an alternative to the plastic bag, when so many million are used daily nationwide. You have to be careful when offering a short term substitute like a potato/corn starch or biodegradable bag.
Some points:
Potato or corn starch, or biodegradable. You are promoting short term use.
Biodegradable/degradable bags sometimes have another chemical added. Also those that breakdown in sunlight, do not disappear and possibly enter the food chain. They are also a lot harder to pick up when litter picking!
Then when you create a market for an alternative like potato/corn starch. You can get companies with no green ethics, growing the above on much needed land for growing crops. So again we have to look at the bigger picture.
We feel the answer lies in a long life bag you take out with you every time you go shopping. On the occasions you forget or impulse buy. You use the bag you are give again. So again, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
Happy shopping!
Lesley, Sheila, Pascale, Mark (The Ventbag Team)
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Welcome to Ventbag – The Journey of Ventnor, Isle of Wight
becoming Plastic Carrier Bag Free by 1st September 2008
First, if we are going to try to curb this pollution then we have to start with ourselves and the way we as individuals live our day to day lives. I know you’ve probably heard this all before but have a little faith and by just making the smallest changes you can make an impact and a difference. It’s the old environmental mantra “be part of the solution, not the problem”
A Minke Whale washed up dead on the Normandy coast.
Cause of death? – The animals’ stomach was full of plastic bags, and throwaway plastic packaging. Some of the bags could be identified as coming from British high street shops.(MCS)
About four-fifths of all marine litter comes from land, swept by wind or washed by rain off highways and city streets, down streams and rivers, and out to sea. Also some is intentionally fly-tipped off cliffs and dumped off beaches once again going into the sea. (Only 20% comes from boats, it’s a common misplaced blame to assume it’s all from boats) (Algalita) (UNEP)
In the marine environment plastic bag litter is lethal, killing at least 100,000 birds, whales, dolphins, seals, seal lions and turtles every year. (Planet Ark) (NSW.GOV.AU)
Plastic bags can be mistaken for food and consumed by a wide range of marine species. Ingestion of litter such as plastic bags can cause physical damage and mechanical blockage of the oesophagus and digestive system, resulting in a false sensation of fullness or satiation, as the litter may remain in the stomach. This can lead to internal infections, starvation and death. (MCS) (environment.gov.au) (plasticdebris.org)
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