Recently, a 'round table' discussion was held with representatives of local retailers, Town Centre Partnerships and Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce:

“We know from our opinion research that people want to make their own contributions to environmental sustainability by recycling more and reducing their use of materials from non renewable sources such as plastic bags. This is as true for individuals as it is for business. We also know that discarded plastic bags are becoming an increasingly significant litter problem." Councillor Lynda Needham. read the press release (link opens in a new window)

To improve the environmental sustainability, we are:

• Encouraging North Hertfordshire residents to switch to reusable bags.
• Providing Trade Waste customers the facility to recycle more materials.
• Providing a list of useful web resources for further information on plastic bags and recycling.

Reducing the number of plastic bags is a hot topic at the moment. Major retailers have signed an agreement with the waste advisory body, Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) to reduce the environmental impact of plastic bag use by 25%. If this is achieved, it would reduce Carbon Dioxide emissions by up to 58,500 tonnes per year (equivalent to taking 18,000 cars off the road for a year).

North Hertfordshire District Council have been working with local retailers, town centre partnerships and other organisations to make sure reusable bags are available for sale.

We would like to encourage residents to think about alternatives to free single-use plastic bags. Firstly, reuse any plastic bags you may already have (try keeping some bags handy for your next trip to the shops). Think twice about whether you really need a new bag for each shop you visit, you may find that the first bag you receive will have sufficient room for other purchases.

String, cotton, hemp and jute bags are a few popular choices for long-term use and are widely available from a number of locations.

To encourage North Hertfordshire residents to move from a single-use disposable way of thinking to adopting a more sustainable lifestyle we will be introducing a range of affordable jute bags which will become available across the District.

Currently, we offer the facility for our customers to recycle glass.

During 2009, trade waste customers will have the option to recycle card, glass and paper.

Trade waste recycling (273 KB)

BBC (link opens in a new window)

Waste & Resources Action Programme (link opens in a new window)

Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (link opens in a new window)

Local Government Association (link opens in a new window)

For general enquiries contact us on 01462 474502 or service@north-herts.gov.uk