We Are What We Do applauds new developments in anti-plastic bag campaigning

29 February 2008 00:00:00

We Are What We Do, the global social change movement behind the best selling book Change the World for a Fiver, the Anya Hindmarch I'm Not A Plastic Bag project and recent Plastic Ain't My Bag campaign welcomes the recent reaction to public pressure by retailers and politicians to end the use of single-use, disposable plastic bags.

Only 10 months ago, We Are What We Do and Anya Hindmarch sought to cast a spotlight on the issue of plastic bag usage by creating a limited edition, re-usable cotton shopper inspired by the first action in their first book 'Decline plastic bags whenever possible'. The £5 designer bag sold out within hours and hit the headlines immediately, generating queues of hundreds of people desperate to own one.

David Robinson, co-founder of We Are What We Do says:

"All too often, we forget that when we throw something away, there is no 'away'. Currently each of us in the UK uses 167 disposable plastic bags a year*. If we've made people think about that, it's a fantastic achievement."

David continues;
"There is no doubt that the range of initiatives, of which ours is just one, have made and will continue to make a significant impact on the issue of plastic bag usage. None of these things in and of themselves will result in an end to plastic bag usage, but each makes a significant contribution. Our belief is that 'small actions x lots of people = big change' and with  the latest discussion around the introduction of legislation, the campaign lead by the Daily Mail and the crucial vocal support of many high-profile personalities and celebrities we are heading fast towards that final tipping point where big, long-lasting change is possible. In light of all of this debate, it's hard to deny that things are now going to be different - and that  we are all going to have to ask ourselves whether we really need plastic bags anymore."

To find out more about the We Are What We Do Plastic Ain't My Bag campaign or to order your bag, please visit www.wearewhatwedo.org/plasticaintmybag  

For further information, please contact: Sandra Deeble at Sandra.deeble[at]wearewhatwedo.org or on +44 (0) 207 396 7463.

*Source – DEFRA

Editor's notes:

About We Are What We Do
We Are What We Do aims to inspire people to use simple everyday actions to change the world. The movement which was originated by the east London charity Community Links (www.community-links.org) was launched in September 2004 with the publication of the bestselling book Change the World for a Fiver.  A sequel, Change the World 9 to 5 was published in September last year. The two books have now sold more than 1 million copies worldwide. In addition to the book, We Are What We Do runs a community programme which is based in Newham which we plan to roll out nationally in the next 12 months; an education project for young people between the ages of 7-18 in partnership with the DCFS which launched in September this year and a range of exciting partnerships such as the latest Virgin Atlantic partnership and launch of 'Change the World from 35,000 feet'.

The Plastic Ain't My Bag identity was developed by ideas agency Antidote.