BAG YOUR WORD ON BEING GREEN

Queenslanders are being encouraged to have their say on what retailers can do to help shoppers reduce the harmful impact of plastic bags on our environment.

Queensland Environment Minister Lindy Nelson-Carr has announced the national release of a Regulatory Impact Statement (RIS) aimed at evaluating the options for reducing the number of single-use lightweight plastic shopping bags.

“In 2002 more than 6 billion of these bags were used,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.

“Voluntary action by consumers and retailers helped reduce this number by more than 40 per cent by 2006, however, the environmental impact is still significant.

“Most of these plastic bags go to landfill after they are used to bring home the shopping and many end up as litter on our streets and in our parks and waterways, killing birds and other wildlife.

“That’s why it is vital that we have a nationally consistent approach to reducing plastic bags.

“There are several options for consideration in the RIS including regulatory and voluntary approaches, and I encourage interested people to put forward their views on these.”

An environmental and economic cost-benefit analysis by Allen Consulting Group has shown some of the regulatory options would reduce plastic bag litter by more than 3 million bags.

“Plastic bags are popular with consumers and retailers because they are a functional, lightweight, strong, cheap, and hygienic way to carry food and other products,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.

“But Australians have to think beyond short-term convenience to reduce our plastic bag use.

“Government, retailers and consumers all have a responsibility to shop green and minimise the impact our actions have on the world around us.

“Many people have already taken action and are now using green bags or another bag or basket to the shopping centre.

“If we all use our green bags and reuse any plastic bags we may have, we can collectively reduce the harm to our environment.”

The draft Regulatory Impact Statement is available on www.ephc.gov.au

Comments close on Friday, 23 February 2007.

Media contact: Andie Gatti 3336 8002