TWO Eden shops are encouraging customers to help the environment and raise money for local charities.
Appleby and Kirkby Stephen Bread Shops have introduced a scheme which invites customers who request plastic bags for their purchases, to donate at least 5p to either the Great North Air Ambulance or Eden Valley Hospice via the charity tins which are provided on the counter.
Owners Carol Thornton and Jackie Kirkpatrick say the scheme, which also involves staff actively encouraging customers to use bags made of sustainable materials, has halved the number of plastic bags used in the two shops.
"We have significantly reduced the usage of plastic bags in the last six months by actively suggesting customers use a paper bag or the environmentally friendly cotton bags we have on sale that were commissioned by Appleby Chamber of Trade last year," said Mrs Thornton.
"They are an excellent alternative and are good value for money. We have to think about our environmental future - and plastic isn't it," she added.
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