Cut to the Chase, Cut the Red Tape - Ban on Plastic Bags Way to Go

Thursday, 15 April 2004 10:00

"The spectacular failure of retailers to significantly reduce plastic bag use makes it imperative that half measures are avoided," said Jeff Angel, TEC Director. "A ban on light-weight, single-use bags would reduce costs for retailers who could sell heavy duty, reusable bags to customers."

"A levy on plastic bags comes with high administrative costs and slows down progress towards the goal, which is the reduction of plastic bag use. Under either scheme, consumers would still have the choice of buying heavy duty, reusable bags. The ban would just speed up the process and reduce costs."

The Environment Protection and Heritage Council, which includes all State and Federal Environment Ministers, will meet in tomorrow to discuss the plastic bag issue. Last year a voluntary Code of Practice for retailers was introduced to reduce plastic bag consumption and to increase recycling. Environment Ministers set targets of 25% reduction by the end of 2004 but so far plastic bag use has reduced by only 3%.

"The Environment Ministers should avoid falling for the same empty promises from retailers. The reality is that plastic bag usage has only gone down by about 3%. This is simply unacceptable and a ban should be agreed to."

"Each day that the Federal Government stalls, another 19 million plastic bags go into our waterways, parks and landfills. We need some decisive action from the Federal Environment Minister, rather than continuing to allow the retailers to set the agenda."