Big names praise shop's bag busting eco initiative
 | | Unpackaged founder Catherine Conway says: ""We are not beardy-weirdy, we are a mainstream local shop – but one that tries to help the environment |
IT HAS been billed as a new concept in shopping and praised by the likes of broadcaster Jonathan Dimbleby as an idea that can "actively help to save the planet".
Now local shop Unpackaged has thrown open its doors for business - with the promise to offer a 50p discount for everyone who brings their own bag.
 | | Jonathan Dimbleby |
Catherine Conway, 30, who owns the food, drink and convenience store Amwell Street, Finsbury, said: "Everything we sell is in reusable containers or if people bring their own we give them a 50p discount. We want to reward positive behaviour rather than charging for bags.
"Unnecessary packaging is a waste of resources and money and ends up in a landfill. We wanted to reward people for reusing containers and doing their bit to tackle wasteful culture. We are not beardy-weirdy, we are a mainstream local shop - but one that tries to help people save the environment."
 | | Ken Livingstone |
She added: "I came up with the idea because I wanted to buy food in this way - but I couldn't find anyone else doing it. Islington is a very positive borough when it comes to green issues, so it was a great place for us to open."
Far from the traditional red silk ribbon, some 213 plastic bags were tied around the door of new shop Unpackaged for its ceremonial opening. Most people use that number amount of plastic bags every year - and now the unconventional ribbon has been snipped the owner hopes her shop will help people cut down on their waste too.
Local resident Jonathan Dimbleby, who presents BBC's Any Questions, said: "If others can follow Unpackaged's lead we can make a really important difference demonstrating that individuals can actively help save the planet."
Mayor of London Ken Livingstone said: "We all need to take steps to minimise waste as landfill space is running out. I congratulate this forward-thinking approach."
And Green candidate Sian Berry, who opened the store, added: "Hopefully one day we'll be able to buy everything like this.
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