More than 1 million plastic bags are used every minute worldwide

Campaign: 'It's Our LA! Keep It Clean'

This US campaign followed state legislation which mandated that all retail and grocery stores bigger than the equivalent of two basketball courts - larger than 10,000 square feet - set up an in-store recycling bin, display relevant educational material and provide reusable bags for purchase.

The Los Angeles (LA) campaign brings together grocers, plastic bag manufacturers, government bodies and environmental groups to increase the recycling of plastic bags.

'A day without a bag' was organised in December 2007, when free reusable tote bags were provided at retail stores leading the way for another, more sustained 'Bring your own bag' campaign, when shoppers are encouraged to carry reusable bags.

- Compiled by Huda Tabrez/Community Journalist

Campaign: 'Plastic Ain't My bag'

'We Are What We Do' began as a project of the British charity Community Links. It is a movement which aims to inspire people to use their everyday actions to change the world. Whoever they are. And wherever they are.

The Plastic Ain't My Bag campaign is a We Are What We Do's appeal - to help rid shores of plastic bags.

This movement also created an online toolbox for everything a person would need to get involved, from the art of saying 'no' courses and a talk-shop for ideas to the A-Z of activism - how to boycott plastic; http://www.wearewhatwedo.
org/plasticaintmybag/

- Compiled by Hind Al Yousef/Community Journalist

Old clothes could be used to make shopping bags.This can be either done on a personal level or by involving supermarkets. It would help if the bags were stitched in various sizes to meet different needs. Once the bags are in use,it is the responsibility of the consumers to make it a habit."

- Srikanth Chitra, Gulf News reader, Dubai