Marchmont & Sciennes Smart Shopping Project

The Marchmont & Sciennes cotton shopper went on sale at the start of September as traders swapped plastic for cotton in a bid to make the area plastic bag free.

Shopkeepers have pledged to reduce the amount of plastic generated by providing an alternative for smart shoppers.

The cotton shopping bags were made possible by the Council's Waste Action Grant Programme. Financial assistance is available for community projects that encourage residents to reduce, reuse and recycle.

Find out how the Waste Action Grant Programme can help your community project.

The new 'Out and About in Marchmont and Sciennes' shopping guide will be issued along with the bags. The directory highlights the neighbourhood as a vibrant and unique shopping destination.

Download Out and About in Marchmont and Sciennes (PDF,605kb).

Monica Higgins, Marchmont & Sciennes Business Association Chairperson explained the reasons behind the project. “For sometime we have been recycling plastic bags in our shops but wanted to actively do more. After some initial research we realised that between just four local shops we were generating 46,000 plastic bags a month and found it to be a shocking reality.”

“We want to encourage our customers to forego the plastic and carry their own reusable cotton bag for shopping and chores. We want to offer an alternative so that plastic bags will become a thing of the past and promote shopping locally.”

For more information contact the Waste Education Officer on 0131 469 5070 or e-mail wasteaction@edinburgh.gov.uk