The campaign is doing a survey of town centre traders between February and the end of May 2010 - get in touch if you want to help out.

In February 2010, we wrote to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the current Penrith and the Border MP David Maclean, and the Prospective Parliamentary Candidates. We urged them to take government action to introduce a plastic bag levy in England, as permitted in the Climate Change Act.  Letter.

The reply letter says that Defra is reviewing progress on plastic bag reduction this summer, and also reviewing their approach to this particular issue.

There will be a new plastic bag certification available soon, to add to the existing industrially-compostable-certification EN13432. The new Home Compostable mark will be certified by the Association for Organics Recycling. More info from DEFRA...

We did a hugely successful shoppers' survey in Penrith town centre to gather information on attitudes to plastic bags. With 334 forms - that's one every 43 seconds - 98% supported action on plastic bags in Penrith - full report and video.

Press release: Penrith Shoppers call for Tough Action on Plastic Bags

Fill in a survey and get a free bag.

The fair trade free bag is made of organic cotton and has logos "PACT... but not in plastic" and "Purchased in Penrith" - thanks to Eden District Council recycling team for getting these bags.

See the results of our previous small shoppers survey on 23 June 2009.

We plan to do a survey of traders shortly after that.

We have been invited to run lessons for Year 11 Citizenship groups at Ullswater Community College in October 2009, and hope to work with Shap primary school in the next school year.

We are making a short film of our campaign activities - video of shopper survey.

Plastic bag-free groups across the country and the world campaigned for Plastic Bag-Free Day on September 12th 2009.