Vinnies, one of Queensland’s best-known charitable organisations, will cease the use of single use plastic bags from December 31 this year – six months before the actual ban on their use comes into place on July 1.

Vinnies offers its customers the chance to not only help the environment, but give back to the community by purchasing reusable enviro-bags for just $1.

All funds raised from their sale go towards Vinnies Queensland’s community programs which include housing, homelessness support, mental health, emergency relief and material goods for families and individuals in need.

Vinnies Queensland’s CEO Peter Maher said many Vinnies op-shops had already stopped the use of single use plastic bags.

“Many of our 146 shops around Queensland are already plastic bag free and offer alternatives such as enviro-bags,” he said.

“Shoppers and volunteers alike have been very supportive of us doing our bit to reduce the number of plastic bags polluting our waterways or ending up in landfill.

Vinnies shops already prevent thousands of tonnes of clothing and household items from going to landfill, and from December 31 we will be completely plastic bag free.”

Laws for the ban were passed in state parliament in September with bipartisan support.

The ban applies to lightweight single use plastic shopping bags only, other plastic bags such as nappy bags, dog-poo bags, garbage bin bags and liners and heavier shopping bags are not included.