Browse Forums Eco Living 1 Jan 21, 2008 12:30 pm Is banning plastic bags the right answer?
Clean Up Australia is claiming that delayed action on banning plastic bags is harming the Australian environment. “State and federal governments are rightly taking the time to consult with consumers and businesses before finalising their action plans,” says Australian National Retailers Association (ANRA) CEO Margy Osmond in a response to the claims. “Banning plastic bags is a shortsighted response to the need for more effective education and support for consumers and the wider business community. It would also just increase the demand for alternative bags – the levy on bags in Ireland resulted in soaring sales of bin liners and other bags for household re-use. “Plastic bags only account for 0.8 per cent of total litter – just three per cent of all plastic litter. The key issue is dealing with litter problems, not plastic bags. “Through a range of sustained voluntary initiatives, large retailers have brought about significant change in behaviour and attitudes – reducing plastic bag usage by some three billion,” she says. “According to a recent independent survey commissioned by ANRA, by and large, supermarket shoppers are doing the right thing when it comes to plastic bags. An overwhelming 93 per cent are re-using and recycling the bags they receive from supermarkets. Just three per cent throw out their supermarket plastic bags. “Of the 93 per cent that are reusing and recycling their supermarket bags, 56 per cent reuse them in their home bins, 22 per cent put them in their home recycling and 10 per cent put them in recycling bins provided at many large outlets. “Shoppers have clearly embraced the efforts of major retailers, governments and environmental groups to think about the way they use their bags. Two-thirds of customers also say they use re-usable bags – clearly the ‘reduce-reuse-recycle’ message, implemented voluntarily by major retailers, has had an impact,” adds Osmond. Internal and External Building and Colour Consultant Online - Worldwide http://www.denovoconcepts.com Re: Is banning plastic bags the right answer? 2Jan 21, 2008 1:06 pm I agree, I reuse any I get as bin liners - and I take my trolley and cloth bags to the markets when I shop.
But the supermarkets have an easier choice - there are bags that are made of corn starch - that break down very easily. Steve Re: Is banning plastic bags the right answer? 3Jan 21, 2008 1:33 pm The cynic in me says, why would the supermarkets use the perfectly acceptable solution of corn starch bags when they can reduce their costs under the environment banner. Demolition August 2009, Construction Started September 2009, Completed December 2010 Re: Is banning plastic bags the right answer? 4Jan 21, 2008 1:43 pm Yak_Chat ...there are bags that are made of corn starch - that break very easily. There, fixed it for you. Re: Is banning plastic bags the right answer? 5Jan 21, 2008 2:32 pm Quote: Quote: Yak_Chat wrote: ...there are bags that are made of corn starch - that break very easily. 3xb wrote Quote: There, fixed it for you. Only if you get the cheap tasmanian version Casa - perhaps - many supermarkets have already been using them and no reason for them want to reduce their costs. If they want to justifyit on another means - all well and good if you cask me. I grew up when placky bags were not the norm Steve DIY, Home Maintenance & Repair At a bit of a loss on this one - we're thinking the original owners never removed the protective laminate covers from their kitchen cabinets after installation and in the… 0 6328 I'm putting a new floor in my kitchen, slate flagging on a standard concrete slab. I have allowed for a bed thickness of up to 20mm to accommodate the different… 0 17537 They using concrete or timber sleepers? Timber or steel uprights? Any drainage behind sleeper? 3 5830 |