BagAge - reusable shopping bags - the REAL alternative
Fair Trade Recycled Reusable
01559 371546
Why We Do It BagAge's Ethical and Sustainability Values. BagAge was born out of a desire to encourage Fair Trade, sustainability and reduce waste, plastic bag waste in particular. Our passion is to support and promote trade that is respectful of peoples equality; where there is no discrimination; where fair prices are paid; where empowerment of women and marginal groups is encouraged, where there is no child or enforced labour; where transparency and accountability is paramount; where economic opportunities are created to help alleviate poverty and that products are made from sustainably managed resources where environmental impacts are kept to a minimum. BagAge products comply with one, more than one or all of the following statements: Our Fair Trade bags, baskets and trolleys are sourced because of the problems created by single use plastic carrier bags: Perilous Plastic Bags We have, for a long time, been appalled with the wastefulness of the single use plastic carrier bag and wondered why most people accept them as the norm. Indeed it is an expectation that a 'free' plastic carrier bag will be provided when out shopping, yet only a few decades ago we would never leave the house without a trusty bag for our groceries. We decided that instead of complaining we should do something about it so we established BagAge, a business promoting sustainability, waste awareness and Fair Trade by saying 'no to plastic bags'. As Mahatma Gandhi once said 'be the change you want to see' we intend to be that change. Despite only being in general use for little more than 30 years, plastic carrier bags have become a significant problem. According to the environmental charity 'Waste Watch' 17.5 billion plastic carrier bags are given out each year in the UK. That is nearly 6 bags per week for every man, woman and child. Plastic bags are a problem because: Turtles think a plastic bag floating in the sea is a jellyfish. Their favourite food is the jellyfish! The Solution There is a solution, and countries more enlightened than the UK are showing us the way. It is great that some countries and towns are taking a lead to tackle the plastic problem and we at BagAge applaud those efforts. However, as individuals we can make a difference too. By using a reusable shopping bag, you personally will reduce the plastic bag problem by 300 bags per year. Go on, you know you can do it!
The product is Fair Trade most sourced from BAFTS accredited suppliers.
The product is made from recycled/reused materials.
The product enables the buyer to reduce waste and/or shop local.
The product is locally made from natural or recycled materials.
On land they block drains, trap birds and kill livestock
In our seas, 100,000 birds, whales, dolphins, seals and turtles die each year
In Ireland they introduced the plastic bag consumption tax or plastax. This successfully reduced their 1.2 billion consumption of plastic bags by 95%.
Taiwan cut the use of plastic bags by 69% by introducing a plastax.
Bangladesh has banned production and possession of plastic bags because they were believed to have blocked the drainage system which escalated flooding.
Coles Bay in Tasmania was the first town in Australia to ban plastic bags and I can personally endorse that it makes a huge difference to the litter problem. There isn't any!
Finally San Fransisco has just announced that it will ban plastic bags from major supermarkets and chemists.
01/05/07 Modbury in Devon becomes the first plastic bag free town in the UK. Well done!
Many other towns are now exploring plastic bag free status
Wales is seriously exploring making a charge for plastic bags, it is at the consultation stage so support this initiative by writing to Jane Davidson AM to say NO to plastic bags.