Boot the bag initiative launched

THE average plastic bag has a lifespan of only 20 minutes and 98 per cent of all plastic bags in the world end up on landfill sites according to the award winning documentary on waste narrated by Jeremy Irons, entitled Trashed.

Concerned Westville resident, Sarah Alsen, has set a challenge for Westville and the rest of the Highway area in the form of the Boot the Bag Westville campaign.

“I want to start this campaign for three reasons. I was moved and shocked after watching the documentary, Trashed, which explains what risk there is to the food chain and the environment through the pollution of land, sea and air – by waste.

“I am also a runner and seeing the amount of plastic (recyclable) waste that is thrown away by residents in Westville on bin collection days, horrified me. Thirdly, I am also a mother and environmentalist and I constantly think of my children’s and the world’s future. When I go to the shops and see how many people buy plastic bags, I often find myself asking why they do so,” Sarah said.

For those reasons, Sarah started thinking how she could make a difference.

“This is all happening in my own backyard. I want to remind people, through a Boot the (plastic) Bag Westville campaign, not to use single-use plastic bags, but rather re-usable shopping bags. This initiative was a national one beginning in 2003 with the introduction of green re-usable shopping bags – but people seem to have forgotten.

“The campaign, which is supported by the Westville Conservancy, will hopefully start running in October this year.

“For this campaign to be successful, volunteers will be needed to donate two hours of their time to spread the word at local supermarkets. I encourage young and old alike to get involved, and contact me,” Sarah said.

“If you think waste is someone else’s problem, think again,” Sarah concluded.

If you would like to volunteer, email Sarah at sarah.alsen@gmail.com or contact her on 084 497 1661or 031 266

8939.