Traders in the Exmoor market town of Dulverton have launched a new initiative with bags of potential to help the environment, thanks to a grant from Somerset County Council’s Climate Emergency Community Fund.

The town’s traders unveiled new jute and paper bags for their customers in a bid to become more eco-friendly and move away from using plastic bags.

The bags feature Dulverton’s new branding including a the logo featuring the many colours of Exmoor, with an artistic impression of an Exmoor stag forming the letter D.

The traders were keen to unite under the new branding to appeal to visitors and boost the local economy following the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. They will also be flying flags with the new branding on outside their shops and premises.

Councillor Christine Dubery is Chairman of Dulverton Town Council and runs a retail shop within Dulverton Post Office. Cllr Dubery said: “This is an exciting and welcome opportunity for the Dulverton Business Community to be involved in reducing our impact on the environment and to promote our stunning location within the Exmoor National Park. The feedback regarding the new branding from Dulverton’s traders has been universally positive, and the branded paper and jute bags have delighted all concerned.”

Dulverton’s ‘Plastic Free Shopping’ initiative is one of 44 projects that have been awarded grant funding from Somerset County Council’s Climate Emergency Community Fund since it was launched in 2020.

A £1.5 million pot of funding was invested to support projects that not only aim to reduce carbon emissions but also help to reduce waste, raise community awareness of climate change and enhance the natural environment.

Other initiatives that have benefitted so far include projects to encourage cycling, grow and deliver local fruit and vegetables, and add solar panels to buildings.

Cllr David Hall, Somerset County Council Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Community Infrastructure said: “It is fantastic to see the Climate Emergency Fund enabling people in Somerset to take action within their communities to help combat climate change.

“The Dulverton Plastic Free Shopping is a great initiative in that it will not only help the environment, but also raise the profile of the town’s shops and businesses too.”

Somerset County Council has recently launched a new Climate Emergency webpage, which is set to act as a hub of information to help Somerset work towards the goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2030. The new website includes the latest news on tackling the climate emergency, information and tips for individuals and organisations on how they can reduce their carbon footprints, details on the action Somerset’s Local Authorities are taking, and much more. Visit Climate Emergency (somerset.gov.uk).