Triumph of the bag ladies

(Currybet)

There's a new grass roots eco-trend emerging in UK, based around whole communities rejecting the use of plastic bags.

The trend was kicked started 6 months ago by wildlife camera women Rebecca Hosking, when she persuaded the 40 or so shopkeepers of Modbury in Devon to switch to greener alternatives. And it's still going strong today, the retailers remaining committed and the shoppers embracing the move (note: not sure if the big grocery retailers are involved).

Now some 50 other cities, towns and villages are investigating going the same way as Modbury including, most significantly, all 33 London boroughs proposing a city wide ban.

But first to bite the bullet has been Hebden Bridge, where the self-styled Bag Ladies have persuaded nearly all the towns 104 traders to ditch the plastic.

And the trick in both instances? Small groups of committed individuals not just campaigning (or complaining), but actually going to retailers with a solution. So don't just give people your problems, it's up to you to provide the way to make a difference.