KEW AND PLASTIC BAGS

That this House commends the community of Kew in West London for striving to become London's first disposable plastic bag free ward from 1st July 2008; believes plastic bags to be unnecessary and wasteful; recognises the environmental damage caused by their production and transport, and the inherent difficulties in their disposal; acknowledges the concern caused by their longevity and persistent presence, in particular in the marine environment, long after their usefulness as a bag has expired; congratulates local residents for their commitment to the environment; and applauds the efforts of local traders in working with the Kew Society to replace plastic bags with biodegradable cornstarch bags, paper bags and re-usable bags made from environmentally-friendly and ethically sourced materials.