Council trial '˜bags for life' as pink sacks' future hangs in balance

This week, two areas in Beanhill will trial the strong reusable bags to test how many are needed per household - and find out how practical they are.

Made of woven fabric, the bags can hold up to 15kgs and are fitted with a weight in the bottom to stop blowing away. They also have a velcro lid.

Tory councillors have slammed the decision to spend £500,000 on these new sacks, but Labour claim the move will bring many benefits including long-term cost savings.

Councillor Mick Legg, cabinet member for environment and waste, said: “At a time when we’re attempting to reduce our waste both nationally and globally, the continued use of plastic bags to recycle our waste is no longer sustainable, so we need to test a greener, more viable alternative which will make it just as easy for residents to recycle and save the council money.

“We hope the bags will prove to be far more convenient for householders and reduce the amount

of debris in our streets resulting from animals and birds attacking pink sacks.”

The bags chosen for the trial scheme are currently being used by some other local authorities in their waste collection schemes – Cornwall County Council for example.

Should the scheme be given the green light, the borough-wide roll-out of the sacks could happen in early summer 2016.