David Ruffley MP has today expressed his delight at the success of the 'plastic bag free' day held in Bury St Edmunds on Saturday 10 May 2008.

David teamed up with St Edmundsbury Borough Councillor for Abbeygate Ward, Richard Rout, to encourage retailers to use fewer plastic bags and encourage members of the public to use reusable bags.

David and Richard ordered 500 reusable 'Green Bags' and distributed these for free in the Cornhill Walk Shopping Centre on Saturday 10 May between 9.30 and 10.30am.

During the day the bags were also be given out for free in place of normal bags, while stocks lasted, in Barwells, Butterworths, Churchgate Books, Laura Ashley, Ley-Lou, Scarlet and Waterstones

Photographs of the day are attached.

David said:

'UK consumers use an estimated 10 billion plastic bags a year- that's a colossal 167 per person per year. They are difficult to recycle and non-biodegradable. Much of this waste could be cut out by using our own cloth carrier bags or so called durable 'bags for life'.

'On Saturday 10 May 2008, Richard Rout and I held a stall in Bury St Edmunds distributing free 'Green Bags' to stop so many plastic bags going into circulation. Each of the 'Green Bags' is reusable and has an estimated lifespan of over two years.

'The 'plastic bag free day' was a fantastic success- we gave out 500 reusable 'Green Bags' from our stall and a number of the town's retailers also took part. If those people that received a free bag on Saturday continue to use it each week for their shopping, we will have substantially reduced the number of single use plastic bags being used in Bury St Edmunds.

'This is only the first step in helping to reduce the number of plastic bags we use in Bury St Edmunds and, over the coming months, I hope to do more on this important issue.'