Shoppers have been ditching their plastic bags in droves – during Islington Council's 10-day "amnesty". <br><br>Residents have handed in more than 1,000 bags to the council's Green Living Centre in Upper Street. <br><br>And people who have brought in at least 10 sacks have been given a free re-usable cloth bag – for greener shopping. <br><br>Councillor Lucy Watt, Islington Council's Executive Member for Environment, said: "Plastic bags do real damage to wildlife and take a huge amount of time to bio-degrade when they're thrown away. <br><br>"We've held this amnesty so people can make sure their remaining plastic bags are recycled by us, instead of going into landfill -- and we're handing out reusable cloth bags instead. <br><br>"This has obviously struck a chord, because we've ended up with a sea of plastic bags being dropped off at the Green Living Centre. <br><br>"Being given one in a shop without even asking is something that irritates a lot of people – and most of us inevitably end up with a small pile of bags at home. <br><br>"We want to thank everyone who has taken part in this amnesty -- and remind people that we can just say 'no' next time we're offered a plastic bag in a shop or supermarket."<br><br>12-year-old Samia Said from Edwards Mews, N1, dropped into the Green Living Centre with dad Rachid, 50, and sister, Anissa 11, to hand over the family's stash of bags. <br><br>Samia said: "Like many families, we're really worried about global warming and want to do something. <br><br>"I've even heard that winter could become a thing of the past. We need to do something now to make sure that doesn't happen." <br><br>The bags collected at the Green Living Centre will be taken to the borough's recycling centre. <br><br>Islington Council's "plastic bag amnesty" comes as a Bill is put before Parliament to give London local authorities powers to stop shops giving away free plastic bags. <br><br>Every year, an estimated 17.5 billion plastic bags are given away by supermarkets. This is equivalent to over 290 for every person in the UK. <br><br>Such bags litter the streets, threaten wildlife and take thousands of years to degrade.<br><br>Although plastic bags can be recycled there is little demand for this type of plastic, so re-usable bags are seen as the best option. <br><br>A "pledge wall" has been created in the Green Living Centre, where people can make a pledge to reduce their use.<br><br>Islington Council's plastic bag amnesty ends on February 15. <br><br>· For more information on how to improve the local environment, drop into the Green Living Centre at 222 Upper Street. The centre is open from 0900-1700, Monday to Friday. <br><br>ENDS<br><br>For more information please call Chris Weeks on 020 7527 3032 <br>
Page Last Updated: 17 December 2009