IN a time when new recycling policies have been introduced in the Stroud District the SNJ takes a look back on another environmental policy in 2007.

STROUD looked destined to become the second town in the country to purge itself of plastic shopping bags.

The innovative idea, which was successfully introduced in a number of countries and cities across the globe was set to take off in Stroud.

The recently elected town mayor John Marjoram was the driving force behind the idea.

He said: “Plastic bags can cause a phenomenal amount of damage to wildlife and cutting down on bags will help the environment, save oil, energy and pressure landfill sites.” A small town in Devon called Modbury were the first town to go shopping–bag free and Cllr Marjoram wanted to follow their lead.

“We have enough rules and regulation and we can’t insist on it,” he said.

“It is for individual people to take responsibility for themselves and we need an agreement from most of the traders.

“All it takes is for people to take a few of their own bags out with them when they go shopping.”

Although plastic bags were never completely removed the five pence bag tax was introduced in 2015.