Sustainable Ottery

A local response to global change

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Resources (Incl. Plastic Bags)

Plastic Bag Survey in Ottery

One area of concern to Sustainable Ottery is the use of plastic bags. We wrote a letter to a meeting of the Ottery St. Mary Chamber of Commerce on 31st January. It detailed a case for going plastic-bag free in Ottery, just like Modbury in South Devon. Unfortunately, it appears that those present at the meeting were not enthusiastic about the idea, although we have not, as yet, received an official response. However, as the meeting was poorly attended, we decided to contact the traders directly. Before we did that though, we thought it prudent to gather the opinions of shoppers in Ottery about this matter, in case the traders were concerned about how the Ottery shoppers might react to going plastic-bag free.

Plastic Bags Used

Consequently, we undertook a survey of shoppers in Ottery to find out. This took place on two mornings, Thursday 14th February and Saturday 16th February, between 9 and 12.30 p.m. Just under 200 people were canvassed -197 ( 44 on the Thursday and 153 on the Saturday).

One question related to Sustainable Ottery and five questions were asked about carrier bags. On the Saturday, two extra questions were added, one to establish whether the shopper was a regular shopper in Ottery or a visitor, and the other one was to find out whether shoppers thought that the possibility of a supermarket being built on the old factory site would be good for Ottery or not.

The findings from the analysed data are:

Q1. Are you a regular shopper in Ottery St, Mary?

a. Yes - 79% b. No - 21%

Q2. When you go shopping do you take a bag with you?

a. Usually – 77% b. Occasionally – 14% c. Never – 9%

Q3. If you had to pay for a bag at the till, would it encourage you to bring your own (all shoppers) ?

a. Definitely – 78% b. Maybe – 11% c. No – 11%

Q4. For those customers who only occasionally or never bring a bag, would being charged for a bag at the till encourage you to bring your own?

a. Definitely – 81% b. Maybe – 8% c. No – 11%

Q5. What price for a bag at the till would encourage you to bring your own (all shoppers) ?

a. Up to 5p – 53% b. 5 -10p – 31% c. Over 10p – 16%

Q6. For those customers who only occasionally or never bring a bag, what price for a bag at the till would encourage you to bring your own?

a. Up to 5p – 66% b. 5 -10p – 24% c. Over 10p – 10%

Q7. Are you aware of the problems to the environment caused by plastic bags?

a. Yes - 96% b. No - 4%

Q8. Would you like to see Ottery St. Mary become a plastic-bag free town?

a. Yes - 95% b. No - 5%

THANK YOU TO ALL THOSE WHO PARTICIPATED IN THIS SURVEY
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See also Modbury's Plastic bag Facts
(about half way down is the 'plastic bags consumed this year' counter)

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We are seeking local opinion about this and if you have something to say then please contact us via the contacts page.

To find out more about the horrendous problems caused by the overuse of plastic and how the town of Modbury, in South Devon, decided to make a positive difference please visit www.plasticbagfree.com.