Bags for Life…Anything But For Life: An Insight into Planet Patrol’s Big Bag Ban
The end of April 2021 saw the UK government increase the prices of single-use plastic carrier bags from 5p to 10p, an act designed to reduce plastic pollution. According to the government statistics, the 5p charge already saw a 95% drop in single-use carrier bags. This is far from the truth though, especially when you factor in so-called ‘Bags For Life’.
Non-profit organisation Planet Patrol is working towards a cleaner future, focusing on community and solution-orientated approaches. The work they are doing shows that the plastic bag predicament is far from over and the movement has since launched the Big Bag Ban campaign.
Bags For Life: Are They Really?
In the 2019-2020 period, over 2.1 billion plastic bags were still sold, as found by a survey completed by the Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) and Greenpeace UK. Over half of the bags were Bags For Life.
Aren’t these better for the environment? Don’t proceeds go towards good causes? Bags For Life are reusable, are they not? This is what comes to mind when you think of Bags For Life.
Unfortunately, it is not that simple. The marketing surrounding Bags For Life is misleading and goes as far as greenwashing.
In fact, the findings so far of Planet Patrol’s Big Bag Ban campaign are rather shocking:
- Although there has been a cut in single-use carrier bags, the sale of ‘Bags for Life’ has increased significantly since 2015.
- Bags for Life can contain three times as much plastic as a single-use version.
- The ambiguity of current legislation allows for supermarkets to profit from the sales of ‘Bags for Life’, while the public maintain false understanding that proceeds are being donated to good causes.
- The 1.58 billion Bags for Life and 564 million single-use bags issued by retailers.
- In 2019-20 mean overall plastic consumption for carrier bags is far from the 90% reduction that the Government claims.
- Despite this, Bags for Life are misleadingly marketed as an eco-friendly option to supermarket customers.
- Bags For Life are often forgotten as a reusable option, being left at home, meaning more bags are then purchased during a shopping trip.
What does the Big Bag Ban campaign involve?
To combat the ongoing issues of plastic bags and their contribution to plastic pollution, Planet Patrol wrote an open letter to Environment Secretary, George Eustice, outlining why the government should be taking action to outrightly ban plastic bags altogether. The letter is available to read on the Planet Patrol website and features signatures from public figures, activists, academics, cross-party MPs, and environmental organisations.
How can you take part?
There are many ways to get involved with the Big Bag Ban. Some of which only take a matter of seconds!
According to the Planet Patrol Big Bag Ban campaign website (where all of the information below can be accessed), you can:
- Take the pledge on our website to ask our government to ban plastic bags and more transparency from retailers by reporting the number of bags they issue and how the proceeds are being spent.
- Share the campaign with your friends and family on your social media platforms, WhatsApp or by email using this link: planetpatrol.co/bigbagban
- Sign up to our newsletter on the Planet Patrol website to keep updated with the campaign’s progress and new ways to show you support.
- Write a letter to or tweet your favourite supermarket (or your favourite few if you have more than one!) using our template to tell them why you’re supporting the Big Bag Ban and why you think they should too.
- Write a letter to or tweet your local MP using our template to tell them about the Big Bag Ban, your reasons for getting involved and why you think they should support it too.
- Take our #BagYourselfaKeeper Instagram challenge, it’s really easy – just take a picture of yourself with your favourite reusable bag, add some of our GIFs by searching ‘Planet Patrol’ in the GIF search bar and tag your friends to join in too!
Swapping to sustainable, reusable, plastic-free bag options is one of the easiest ways to reduce your plastic consumption and lead a more planet-friendly and mindful lifestyle.
Let’s create positive change together!
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