Today M & S announced that they will charge food customers 5p for every plastic bag they use. I think this is a great way of stopping people from using plastic bags. About 13 billion plastic bags are given away each year by British retailers. This plastic is used momentarily, sometimes for no longer than a few minutes and yet takes 400-1,000 years to break down. What’s worse, like all forms of plastic they do not biodegrade. Instead they photodegrade, breaking down into smaller and smaller toxic bits that contaminate soil, waterways and oceans, entering the food chain when ingested by animals.

OK, I think I’ve made my point, rant over. There is also another very important reason for saying no to plastic bags. How often do you find a plastic bag that goes with or really compliments your outfit. It has to be said that, plastic bags are a definite no no on the style front. Last year Anya Hindmarch caused quite a stir, when her “I’m not a plastic bag” fabric bag, sold in Sainsbury’s for £5, sold out and became the seasons must have accessory. So if you really want to look stylish and help the environment, I would suggest investing in a stylish shopper. Here are two that would be great for a spot of guilt free shopping.

Soviet Denim Shopper Handbag

Gravis Hampton Jellyfish Shopper