Plastic bags get told

Plastic bags were given their marching orders today following Council’s unanimous vote to support the National Plastic Bag Campaign.

The nationwide campaign seeks to ban polypropylene plastic bags by the end of 2009 and follows the lead of the South Australian Government who has already introduced legislation banning single use polypropylene bags by May 2009.

Each year Australians use more than four billion polypropylene bags, all made from non renewable energy resources.

Polypropylene bags, typically the kind used by supermarkets and take-away food outlets, impact on freshwater and marine habitats and often trap and entangle the animals that mistake them for food. They also block drains and are a major source of contamination in kerbside recycling.

Cr Keryn Jones, Environment Portfolio said embracing the ban and using plastic bag alternatives is a shared responsibility that will reduce our environmental footprint and benefit the Sunshine Coast.

“Council’s support for the National Campaign is one strategy to solve the plastic bag problem,” said Cr Jones.

“But the community doesn’t have to wait for the strategy – we can all say no to plastic bags just by keeping and reusing eco friendly shopping bags that we keep in our car boots.

“Together we can significantly reduce the damage polypropylene does to our waterways, marine life, drainage and recycling programs.”

Only light-weight plastic bags from polypropylene will be banned. Other bags, such as those used to contain fruit and vegetables and bin liners are not affected.

For more information on the National Plastic Bag Campaign visit www.areyouready.com.au