London group drives for single-use bag tax

By Heather Caliendo, PlasticsToday

Olympic rings in London for 2012 Games

A London-based grassroots campaign had hopes that a plastic bag ban at the London 2012 Olympics would help earn a gold medal in sustainability.

The group, called Greener Upon Thames, launched its campaign in 2010 to ban plastic bags at the London Olympics. The campaign was packed by high-profile names, which included Richard Branson and British fashion designer Vivienne Westwood.

The London Organizing Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) had announced plans for London 2012 to become the first sustainable games.
Zac Goldman, co-founder of Greener Upon Thames, said for the games to be truly sustainable, plastic bags should be banned.

"If the 2012 Olympics are to be the greenest ever, then banning plastic bags is a prerequisite," he said. "They cause immense damage throughout the world, and absolutely symbolize the mindlessness of our throwaway society."

In 2011, London Mayor Boris Johnson called for a ban on plastic bags across London and said, "I've set out my ambition to make London a plastic bag free city."

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