As the City Council convenes its climate change conference this week, it will also launch a campaign to rid Oxford stores of environmentally unfriendly plastic bags.
Technically, the Council cannot get rid of plastic bags by decree. Environmentalist leader Craig Simmons said: "You can't legally force retailers not to stock plastic bags, it would probably require national legislation."
Council leader John Goddard, who has organised both the conference and the bag campaign said success will instead depend on individual consumers insisting that supermarkets change their practices.
"I refuse plastic bags if I am offered one and I want as many shoppers in the city as possible to follow suit," Goddard said.
"Oxford is well tuned in to the Green agenda," he added.
Oxford going green
