New ammunition in war on plastic bags

The war on plastic bags has received new ammunition with an announcement by Environment Minister Lindy Nelson-Carr that nine Queensland councils and three chambers of commerce would share in $100,000 to help cut plastic bag usage in their communities.

Ms Nelson-Carr adopted a Reef HQ setting to highlight the damage that can be caused to marine and bird life by plastic litter and to present Townsville City Council Sustainable Development Committee Chair Cr Jenny Hill, with a $5000 Queensland Government cheque in the Say No to Plastic Bags campaign.

Councils and chambers of commerce were invited to apply for grants in the campaign which focuses on community education through distribution of reusable bags and a resource kit developed by the Environmental Protection Agency.

“While plastic bags are functional, cheap, convenient, strong and hygienic, the downside is that they are also a significant source of litter pollution and an acknowledged threat to birds, marine and other wildlife,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.

Cr Hill said that in 2006 Townsville City Council distributed 5000 reusable shopping bags to residents and businesses on Magnetic Island in a bid to reduce the need for plastic.

“This funding will enable us to continue that program through the purchase and distribution of more eco-friendly bags as part of a broader council commitment to the environment,” she said.

Ms Nelson-Carr praised Townsville City Council and other participants in the Say No to Plastic Bags campaign and stressed the need to keep pushing the anti-plastic bag message which she believed was getting through, as evidenced by the growing popularity of reusable bags in supermarkets and other shopping outlets.

Bowen, Johnstone, Whitsunday and Sarina Shire Councils are also amongst the twelve successful grant applicants.


Media contact: Harry Landman 4760 7340 0407 637 510