Encourage use of reusable shopping bags

In 2011 NLWA worked with retailers across north London to promote the Smart Shopping message. The aim of the project was to encourage the use of reusable shopping bags by offering shoppers a free reusable cotton bag instead of a plastic carrier bag. The target was to engage with 30 small retailers (green grocers, corner shops, shoe shops, book shops and market stalls) who will then distribute and pass on the smart shopping message to a total of 7,000 customers.  The shops were asked to hand out ‘easy tip’ cards with the bags and to provide some feedback at the end of the project.  Customers who received the cotton bags had the opportunity to register their bag and enter a prize draw. A total of 7,000 cotton bags and 7,000 smart shopping cards were distributed by retailers directly to their customers within two weeks (from 13 to 27 January). The shop staff will encourage customers to use the bag again and again which should have a big impact on the currently 380 plastic carrier bags that are handed out to every household each year.

For more information:  Dimitra.Rappou@NLWA.gov.uk

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