Published at 09:10, Monday, 16 July 2012

DO you remember a few years ago when, during the days when the environment was a hot topic, nearly everyone carried an extra reusable bag with them in order to save automatically being given plastic or paper carrier bags when shopping.

It was great and in Gaia, in Hexham, almost all of our wonderful customers would pipe up, “Yes I have a bag”.

Well you may be interested to know that those days seem to be largely over.

When asked these days many people say that they haven’t got one and even seem surprised that I ask! What happened?

Are the sea creatures now safe from the islands of plastic that have formed in our oceans? Why is everyone so complacent? The problems we have are now greater than before.

Sorry to seem so strident, but please think twice before leaving your extra bags in the car boot, or at home.

MARY RICHARD,

Hexham

Published by http://www.hexhamcourant.co.uk