There is now less than four months until the Palaszczuk Government’s plastic bag ban comes into effect, and Queensland Environment Minister Leeanne Enoch is encouraging everyone to get prepared and reduce the amount of plastic we use.
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Ian Kiernan AO, Chair and founder of Clean Up Australia said plastic bags are a problem, representing 3.6 percent of reported rubbish.
Mr Kiernan started Clean Up Australia 29 years ago when he wanted to make a difference in his own backyard and has now become one of the nation’s largest community-based environmental events.
“By regulating these common packaging items, Queensland is now leading the way when it comes to waste management reform,” Mr Kiernan said.
Ms Enoch said close to 1 billion lightweight single-use plastic shopping bags are used in Queensland every year,” she said.
“Our ban on single-use plastic bags, which comes into effect on July 1, aims to reduce the impacts they have on the environment.
“We are also introducing the container refund scheme in November, which will allow Queenslanders to recycle their drink containers, most of which will return a refund of 10 cents.
Chamber of Commerce secretary Travis Crowther said their 120 members are on track with compliance for the ban.
“A lot of members we deal range from industrial to retail store owners and I know certain retailers have purchased better quality bags with their logos on it.”