Newry and Mourne District Council have launched their annual Need a Bag? Week at Newry Market. The campaign aims to help shoppers think twice about using plastic bags and encourages them to move towards a more sustainable, environmentally-aware lifestyle.

The Deputy Mayor of Newry & Mourne District Council Councillor Charlie Casey said, “Over 230 million plastic bags are sent to landfill in Northern Ireland each year- that’s 316 bags per person! We are running this campaign to encourage residents to take a few minutes before they leave the house to remember to take their re-useable shopping bags and to say no when offered more bags in the shop.

The shopping bags have been distributed to local residents at locations across the region including Newry Market. Shoppers were also asked to take part in a “Bag Amnesty” whereby they could exchange their old plastic bags for a new eco-friendly re-usable bag. Council Officers were on hand to provide information on waste reduction and advice on maximising the use of the blue and brown recycling bins.

As part of the Southern Waste Management Partnership (SWaMP), Newry and Mourne District Council have teamed up with the other seven Member Councils to produce 8,000 limited edition re-usable shopping bags.The Council is also encouraging retailers to get involved in the Need a Bag? initiative by reminding staff to ask customers the simple question “do you really need a bag?” Guidelines for retailers and a Need a Bag? poster are available through the Council website

www.newryandmourne.gov.uk. Or if you would like any more information on this campaign you can contact Therese Hamill, Recycling Officer, Newry and Mourne District Council. Tel: 028 30313233 or email recycling@newryandmourne.gov.uk.