Published: Wednesday, 3rd September, 2008 9:00am

Doubts over Selkirk's plastic promise

by Alexa Brown

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CLAIMS of the Borders" first "plastic bag free" town were called into question this week as an investigation revealed that a huge number of shopkeepers are still handing out the criminal carriers.

Despite the very public reinvention of Selkirk as plastic free back in April, the Border Telegraph has discovered that almost all of the town"s shopkeepers still hand out the bags to customers.

Out of 14 shops visited last week, we were handed a plastic bag in 12 of them, including two supermarkets, three convenience stores and two bakers.

It was also found that in many of the shops, the bags were provided without us having to ask for them.

The discovery has now raised concerns over the integrity of the cause, which has been shortlisted in the finals of the 2008 Scottish Borders Awards for Excellence in Skills and Learning.

However, supporters of the campaign have remained adamant that the town is simply going through a "phasing out" process.

Dr Lindsay Neil, chairman of Selkirk Community Council, told the Border Telegraph: '90% of shopkeepers said they would phase out the plastic bags that they have, but it takes time. You can"t just do it one day.

'They will sometimes give you a bag if you don"t have your own bag.'

But it"s five months since the high-profile scheme was launched, and several stores that originally adopted the plastic free policy have since restocked on bags.

And some managers admit they"re frightened that a carrier-free store will lose them trade.

Edith Scott, chair of Selkirk"s Chamber of Trade, said: 'The Chamber of Trade supports the principals of the campaign, but the members won"t be fully supportive until all the bags are used.

'Everybody who was on the Chamber of Trade that I spoke to said that they would have to use up their bags first.'

'Some shops had bought in thousands of plastic bags just before the campaign, and it takes a while to get rid of these.'

Selkirk Plastic Bag Free is up against the Borders Forest Trust, Tweed Forum and Borders Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group (Borders FWAG) in the final stages of the Excellence in Skills and Learning category of the prestigious 2008 Scottish Borders Awards.

Selkirk councillor Vicky Davidson added: 'You must also look at the number of people who are using their own bags. There has been a huge decrease in the number of people requesting plastic bags since the campaign began.'