'We don't want plastic bags in Eden'

Wycombe Friends of the Earth and the Environment Centre in Holywell Mead, have teamed up to launch a campaign to ask businesses moving into the shops, which open in the spring, to encourage the use of recyclable alternatives rather than new plastic bags.

Frances Alexander, a trustee of the Environment Centre, said: "Time is getting short - the new shopping centre opens in March and decisions like this need to be taken immediately. At The Environment Centre we thought perhaps the directors of the Eden shops could be persuaded by public opinion - and so created a petition."

Sam Clements, Wycombe Friends of the Earth spokesman, said: "With a name like Eden, surely we have a chance to bring in a plastic bag free ethos? Wycombe Friends of the Earth members are preparing to write to all the businesses moving into the Eden Centre.

"Daniel Tomkinson, the director of the Eden Centre, has expressed support for the campaign. But it would be far better if Wycombe District Council were to follow the example of Brighton, where councillors have just voted in favour of a plastic bag free town, and found strong public support for the idea.

"How great would it be for the profile of High Wycombe to be in the vanguard of town planning, where such an environmentally enlightened policy had been adopted - by a place we called Eden."

Last week the Bucks Green Press reported a couple's bid to encourage the new centre to become a plastic bag free haven. Stephen and Jill Shiu of Ashburnham Drive, Walter's Ash, were moved when they saw film footage of BBC camerawoman Rebecca Hosking showing dying albatrosses as a result of discarded plastic.

To get a copy of the petition email manager@ecobuzz.org.uk or collect a copy from The Environment Centre.

Completed petition forms should be returned to the centre by November 16. The centre's plan is to collect 10,000 signatures by mid-November to present to Mr Tomkinson.