10/11/2005
- Every Australian could give a lasting Christmas present
to the environment by refusing to accept one plastic bag
a day until the end of the year, the Minister for the Environment
and Heritage, Senator Ian Campbell, said today.
"That’s almost one billion fewer plastic bags to damage
our environment and a great start for 2006," Senator
Campbell said at a roundtable meeting of small retailers
in Canberra today.
"One bag less every time we shop, particularly during
the busy Christmas period – or better still, no plastic
bags at all.
"We would then reach the target set by Australian,
state and territory governments and industry in 2002 to
halve plastic bag use by the end of this year.
"I am also urging all retailers to ask their staff
to encourage shoppers to take up the challenge by asking
them whether they really do need a plastic bag with every
purchase. Enormous gains can be made by asking a simple
question."
Senator Campbell said supermarket shoppers had been steadily
reducing their use of plastic bags, cutting back by more
than a third at the end of June.
But he said a Planet Ark study had shown that although smaller
retailers such as the local corner shop, newsagent, bookstore
and grocery shop were enthusiastic and supportive, they
were struggling to make further reductions to their plastic
bag use.
"I am pleased today to offer smaller retailers a helping
hand – a new Plastic Bags Reduction Toolkit to help them
cut their use of plastic bags," he said.
"The Australian Government, Clean Up Australia and
the Australian Retailers Association have developed this
toolkit that includes a web site, helpline and printed materials
to give small retailers the practical assistance they need."
Senator Campbell said the toolkit included:
• a web site – offering advice, materials and a step-by-step
guide to reducing plastic bag use in each store as well
as guidance on everything from how to choose the best alternative,
to ways retailers can promote their actions to customers
with real case studies (www.noplasticbags.org.au)
• free materials – including a 16-page users’ guide, posters
and stickers to help retailers and customers to say no to
plastic bags
• telephone advisory service – a plastic bag helpdesk telephone
service where trained staff can answer retailers’ questions
and supply printed materials on request (tel 1300 654 419)
"All small retailers need to do is get online, pick
up the phone or request written toolkit information so they
can do their bit to help the environment," Senator
Campbell said.
"We need to remember that when plastic bags end up
in our waterways and oceans they entangle, suffocate and
are eaten by wildlife – killing turtles, whales, sea birds
and other animals each year.
"Together, governments, retailers and the community
can all benefit when we get rid of plastic bags."
Chairman and founder of Clean Up Australia, Ian Kiernan
AO, also supports the campaign to reduce plastic bags.
"Clean Up Australia is committed to getting rid of
plastic bags and our approach has always been based on practical
solutions," Mr Kiernan said.
"This new toolkit is specifically tailored to meet
small retailers’ needs. It fills a gap and provides easy
steps for retailers to say NO to plastic bags."
Tips for shoppers and retailers to help get rid of plastic
bags are attached.
For more information visit www.noplasticbags.org.au
Photographs: related images are available from the photo
gallery
Media Contact:
Renae Stoikos 02 6277 7640 or 0418 568 434
________________________________________
How to get rid of plastic bags - today Top
five tips for shoppers
1. Say NO to that extra plastic bag
2. Buy at least ONE reusable bag
3. Return your empty reusable bag to an easy-to-remember
place
4. Don’t forget to take your reusable bag/s when you go
shopping
5. When you go shopping, ask yourself - "Have I got
my:
- keys
- cash
- bags
Top five tips for retailers
1. Train and encourage your staff to discourage plastic
bag use
2. Pack at least eight items in each bag
3. Sell reusable bags in your store
4. Provide a plastic bag recycling bin for customers
5. reward customers for using alternatives – award a gift
each month to a selected customer. |
