Plastic Bag Free Raglan-Whaingaroa is a unique collaborative initiative governed by the Whaingaroa Environment Centre, the Raglan Chamber of Commerce, Xtreme Zero Waste and Para Kore with a mission to demonstrate that even in the absence of governmental regulation, an entire community can voluntarily become single use plastic carry bag free. We have formed a project team to achieve the following objectives:

1. 80% of Raglan/Whaingaroa businesses do not supply plastic shopping/carry bags by July 2017
2. 100% of Raglan/Whaingaroa businesses do not supply plastic shopping/carry bags by July 2019
3. To strengthen Raglans reputation in the New Zealand market as an environmentally conscious town to live in and visit via building a Plastic Shopping Bag Free brand
4. An increasing % of shoppers remember to take their reusable bags shopping (measured by surveys).
The umbrella project has 5 main project steps:
Project 1: Plan, Gather Data, Consult, Survey, Generate Solutions
Project 2: Implement Plastic Bag Free Raglan: Project Launch Events, education & supply re-usable bags
Project 3. Test Solutions, Monitor business and community behaviour change, Problem Solve, Adapt, Accredit Plastic Bag Free Businesses
Project 4. Celebrate and Publish achievements, Plan to address residual barriers
Project 5. Provide Toolkit with methodology and templates for other Waikato/NZ towns

We are currently well into Project 3; with the rollout of PBF Business Accreditation, and ongoing community engagement.
Various methodology is being employed including surveys, community events, provision of reusable bags, ongoing promotion (hard copy & social media), face to face engagement, signage, community sewing group, marketing of businesses who transition to plastic bag free status. Processes being set up include preferred suppliers of alternative (truly compostable) and reusable bags; ownership of project outcomes to ensure ongoing sustainability.