Who needs plastic carrier bags anyway?

Now that the five pence charge has drastically reduced the number of plastic carrier bags we use, the time has come for a more sustainable alternative.

Biodegradable 'plastic' carrier bags made from corn starch do not offer viable means of further reducing the one trillion (one thousand billion) plastic bags used every year worldwide. A less environmentally damaging alternative can be offered by certain paper-based products. They could even encourage more people onto bikes.

Our insatiable need for throwaway carrier bags creates waste that takes up to 500 years to degrade – during which time it poses a significant hazard to wildlife, not to mention our own health.

Who needs plastic carrier bags?

The PaperJohn is reusable paper carrier bag - one of a number or new designs aimed at cyclists. The bag is made out of 100% recycled paper, which itself stems from renewable wood rather than oil as is the case with plastic carrier bags. It is designed to be worn like a ruck sack.

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A more robust approach is taken by the Packtasche, a set of panniers made from cardboard designed to be offered by supermarkets to their cycling customers.

The panniers can safely carry 12 kg of shopping and used numerous times before they are recycled.

The ethical choice

The ETA was established in 1990 as an ethical provider of green, reliable travel services. Over 30 years on, we continue to offer cycle insurance , breakdown cover and mobility scooter insurance while putting concern for the environment at the heart of all we do.

The Good Shopping Guide judges us to be the UK’s most ethical provider.

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