A TEAM of volunteers is helping the environment by making alternatives to plastic bags and giving them away through shops in a Bradford district town.
Morsbags in Bingley, linked to the Plastic Free Bingley action group, has seen a team of dedicated volunteers make shopping bags from donated pieces of fabric which are then given to a host of town shops to pass on to their customers.
The aim is to encourage people to reduce their use of plastic bags and encourage recycling and reusing by handing out the bags.
The new bags are made from old curtains, table cloths, duvet covers, pillow cases or leftover fabric from any sewing projects which are donated. Then the team of volunteers get to work sewing them into new bags and passing them onto the shops to distribute.
The hardy group has made 4,200 Morsbags since starting the town branch of the worldwide movement in 2019.
The Morsbag logo is featured on each bag and participating Bingley shops say they prove popular with their customers and the bags are regularly seen being used around the town.
Judith Hales, Morsbag Bingley co-ordinator, said: “We make the bags from old curtains, sheets and table cloths. We give the bags away for free.
“We make the bags in all sizes depending on who wants them. Nothing gets wasted.
I keep a spare one in my handbag in case I see someone who needs to use one
“People do re-use them. They are long-lasting. All of the volunteers work full-time, so it’s finding the time to do them.
“We are all volunteers. We do it for the love of it.”
Maria Bija, co-owner of Hedgehog Organics in Main Street, Bingley, who give the Morsbags away to shoppers, said: “We are very grateful to Morsbag ladies for their regular supply of their fantastic, top quality bags.
“We’ve not had to supply a single plastic carrier bag since we opened in April 2022 and our customers are often surprised the Morsbags are free as they look so great.
“We see these bags reused over and over again.”
Claire Morsman started Morsbags in 2007 when she started encouraging people to stop using plastic bags and to create reusable Morsbags.
The completed bags are recycled, reusable, fabric, handmade, strong and washable that are always given away for free.
To volunteer to make Morsbags in Bingley, or for more information, go to Morsbags (Plastic Free Bingley) on Facebook.
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