Eco bags will help libraries (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Eco bags will help libraries

NEW eco-friendly bags will go on sale in Wiltshire libraries in a bid to cut down on the wastage of plastic bags.

The green jute bags, complete with logo, are part of the Recycle for Wiltshire campaign, which was launched this month. Wiltshire currently recycles around 30 per cent of its rubbish but needs to raise that to 33 per cent this year.

The campaign aims to raise awareness of the need to reduce, reuse and recycle waste.

The bags, which are great for everything from carrying loose fruit and vegetables to wine bottles, books and beach gear, are going on sale for £1 each at the full time libraries.

"It's a double whammy really - the logo not only reminds us all to recycle more, but having a re-usable bag means we are less likely to pick up a plastic bag," said Wiltshire County Council waste manager Andy Conn.

The bags have been bought through the Wiltshire Waste Partnership, and money received from their sale will go back into Wiltshire libraries. They go on sale this week to coincide with Big Recycle Week, a national campaign spearheaded by four times Olympic Champion Sir Matthew Pinsent.