Queensland Conservation’s ’Plastic Bag Free Queensland’ campaign aims to promote awareness about the impact of plastic bag litter in our environment and supports individuals, business and communities within Queensland who are working towards becoming a Plastic Bag Free Queensland.
Plastic Bag Free Queensland is committed to Queensland banning single-use plastic bags by 2015.
In Australia there are currently four States and Territories who have banned single-use plastic bags:
South Australia
Northern Territory
Australian Capital Territory
Tasmania
Queensland Conservation is campaigning to be State number five – but we need your help!
Why are we campaigning to rid Queensland of single-use plastic bags? It’s simple – they are wasteful and deadly.
It is estimated that Australians consume around 4 billion plastic bags a year
Of that, in Queensland it is estimated that up to 1 billion plastic bags are used every year and that the average household collects 60 bags per week. Many of these bags are lost and end up in waterways, beaches and other environments. They clog streams and many are ingested by wildlife.
University of Queensland research has found that 30% of turtle deaths in Moreton Bay are caused by the ingestion of plastic debris.
The environmental impact of plastic bags far outweighs their convenience.
Plastic bags are used for minutes, yet they last up to 1000 years.
All we need to do is replaced them with less harmful alternatives. How hard is it to take a reusable bag when you go shopping, or ask the retailer for an alternative. .
So how can Queensland become Plastic Bag Free?
As individuals we can take action by. . .
Reminding ourselves to bring our own bags when shopping or picking up take-away meals. If a retailer gives us a plastic bag, we can gently refuse and explain why.
As a community we can take action by. . .
Talking to our local Member of Parliament (MP), as above all, the Queensland Government needs to know that the community is asking for a State-wide ban on single-use plastic bags.
South Australia, the Northern Territory, Tasmania and Australian Capital Territory have already banned them. What’s stopping Queensland?
As a retail business we can take action by. . .
Working together to make the transition easier. Why not make a start and ask your customers to join you in kicking the single-use plastic bag habit?
As a retailer, we need for you to take the lead and know that your customers will understand why you are saying NO to single-use plastic bags at the checkout in favour of customers’ BYO bags and (if necessary) compostable bags. In fact your customers will applaude you for being a retail leader.
Click here to read about a community who has taken the lead in Queensland to help rid the use of single-use plastic bags.
Whether an individual or a retailer, you can sign the petition to support a Plastic Bag Free Queensland here.
Click on the below images to take part in Plastic Bag Free Queensland March 2014, or to checkout our ‘QLD’S HAD A GUTFUL‘ web film, where we are looking for support to get it on air in Queensland.
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RESOURCES
Information on how individuals can go Plastic Bag Free [Fact Sheet]
Plastic Bag Free Communities [Fact Sheet]
Retailers going Plastic Bag Free [Fact Sheet]
This Store is Plastic Bag Free Poster [Download and use in store]