In 1957 the world started to use the humble sandwich bag and from that time the usage of plastic shopping bags grew and grew. Now over 5 trillion plastic bags (160,000 per second) are used worldwide annually. Plastic is the largest source of ocean litter across the world which is why bans or fees are in place across many countries.
The European Union will require an 80% reduction of plastic bags by 2019. This means virtually every European country is now considering ways to bring about reductions.
Denmark and Ireland took action years ago and are great examples of changing the laws resulting in a major reduction in usage. In 1993 Denmark charged levies for the use of plastic bags and usage dropped by 60% quite quickly.
Ireland introduced the 2002 ‘bag tax’ where consumers actually would have to purchase bags. This resulted in a 90% drop in bag usage and a further reduction in litter. By 2007, usage was rising again, which led to an increase in the price of bags.
A Federal Government push for an Australian nation-wide ban was abandoned when the states and territories couldn’t agree on a national approach. It seems ironic when this nation is surrounded by water and on so many environmental issues we are at the forefront of innovation. It would seem a no brainer to issue a country-wide ban, however the history goes like this:
- The Tasmanian town of Coles Bay was the first town in Australia to ban the bag in 2003
- South Australia went state-wide with a ban in 2008 (saving 400 million bags annually)
- Northern Territory was next cab off the rank October 2011
- Followed by the ACT a month later
- Tasmania’s ban kicked in toward the end of 2013
- Qld and WA will both roll out state-wide bans on July 1 2018
- Victoria’s is pending
- NSW is now the only state not to have implemented a ban or to have one pending.
Coles and Woolworths both announced action this week during World Environment Day. Woolworths will ban single-use plastic shopping bags nation-wide from 20 June and Coles will on the 30 June this year, they also have a number of initiatives to reduce plastic wrapping.
Some independent grocers, such as Harris Farm Markets, have already phased out plastic bags. Harris Farm provides customers with either a cardboard box or crate, or with a paper bag.
Lendlease have also vowed to make a difference by declaring ‘Plastic Free July’ through out their workplaces.
National Retail Association Plastic Bag campaign
Mal Meninga- the face of the campaign
Media launch in Qld
From the 1 July Qld will roll out a state-wide ban on plastic bags. Queensland great Mal Meninga has joined forces with the National Retail Association (NRA) to launch a state-wide campaign calling on consumers to get behind the Queensland Government’s July 1 ban on single-use lightweight plastic shopping bags.
Meninga, a Bundaberg-bred coach, businessman and speaker, grew up on the state’s treasured coastal areas, and says tackling plastic pollution should be a priority for everyone who calls the Sunshine State home.
“The number of plastic shopping bags used by Queenslanders is nearing a billion each year – most of which are used for only a short period of time and go to landfill,” Meninga said.
“But around 16 million of these bags are littered and end up in our precious environment. The equivalent in weight to 96 small cars’ worth of plastic bags wind up in our environment where they wreak havoc on the local ecosystem, our waterways and our marine life.
“We simply cannot afford to stand by and let this scourge on our environment continue,” he said.
NRA CEO Dominique Lamb said retailers had long-supported the idea of industry-wide action to try and combat toxic plastic bag pollution, however those who’d launched their own bans had often found it tough getting customers to embrace the idea.
“Our industry is behind the State Government for making this a non-negotiable for all stores right down to the smallest takeaway outlets, local markets and online stores, as it’s a crucial step toward changing overall consumer behaviour,” Lamb said.
Without radical action by consumers and producers, the volume of accumulated plastic in the oceans is forecast to become greater than that of fish by 2050, according to a 2016 report by the World Economic Forum.
“We know we’ve reached a tipping point and the retail industry is right in the thick of it as consumers demand more transparency into how the products they buy are produced, so they can support brands with ethical production methods and environmentally sustainable practices. Banning lightweight plastic shopping bags is another important step in creating a future-proof industry,” she said.
From July 1, no retailer in Queensland will be allowed to hand out single-use lightweight plastic shopping bags under 35 microns thick, or they risk fines of more than $6,000 per offence.
“Consumers will need to prepare by either bringing their own reusable bags, and should expect to pay a small fee of around 15 to 20 cents for a basic reusable option, through to as much as five dollars for locally-made jute or hessian bag.”
Lamb has also asked shoppers to be patient with retailers throughout the transition period, while they adjusted to new bags and processes. “It’s up to all of us to do our bit. It’s a small change in our routine for a big impact on Queensland’s environment,” she said.
Queensland Plastic Bag campaign
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