SHOPPERS and traders in Dunmow are backing a bid to be the first town in Essex to go plastic bag free. The Broadcast reported last week on how Uttlesford District Council is planning to explore alternatives to ensure people don t use carrier bags. A meet

SHOPPERS and traders in Dunmow are backing a bid to be the first town in Essex to go plastic

bag free.

The Broadcast reported last week on how Uttlesford District Council is planning to explore alternatives to ensure people don't use carrier bags.

A meeting is being held on Monday (January 21) at the Foakes Hall in Dunmow at 7.30pm for people to view the plans.

The scheme has already received a positive response from Sam Winter, manager of The Co-operative food store in Dunmow.

She said: "As a retailer with strong green credentials we are interested in supporting efforts to make Dunmow a plastic-bag-free town.

"While all our plastic bags are 100 per cent degradable, we have

been working hard to reduce the number used by introducing a range of alternatives."

She said over the next few weeks the shop would be introducing a new home compostable carrier bag for five pence and continue to push reusable bags.

The problem of forgetting to take bags with you was a common worry, but that is something a Stebbing Green couple, who wished to remain nameless said people would just have to get used to.

They said: "We find you get more in a material bag. It is just like seatbelts in cars, no-one liked them when they came in, but you get used to it."

While, Susan Rothwell from Barnston came up with a solution. She keeps her bags in her car so she always has them to hand.

But how do shoppers feel about plastic bags becoming a thing of

the past? We took to the streets to find out...

Ray Bullock, Chelmsford Road, Great Dunmow said: "It is a fantastic idea, I've been to see councillors about the problem in the past, but nothing has happened, I still clean my road and the bus shelter outside my house, it's always full of bags that people just discard."

Olive Megit, Woodview Road, Great Dunmow said: "I'm positive it'll work, we just need to change peoples habits. I have my own material bag and leave it by the door for when I go shopping so I don't forget. The only problem I see is with the market

I think plastic bags there may well be a necessity."

Ivan Ramsbottom, Haslers Place, Great Dunmow said: "It's a marvellous idea. I use plastic bags when I go shopping, but wouldn't if I have the choice. However, I do a lot of my shopping online now, so it would be up to the delivery men to not use bags as well."

Adam Frost, Highfields, Great Dunmow said: "If there is something green replacing plastic bags then I'm all for it. There is no point in using paper bags because that damages the environment when they have to be incinerated causing carbon monoxide gases, material bags might be well worth using though."

Lesley Milne, Longcroft, Takeley said: "I take my own material bags with me when I go

out shopping. I sometimes used to forget, but I now leave them in my car to make sure I have always got them on me. It is possible for Dunmow

to succeed.