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Say `No’ To Plastic Bags, Says Councillor

Are you a plastic bag hoarder? Do you have them squirreled away in drawers, lurking in cupboards or stashed in the back of your pantry?

By East Gippsland Shire Council - 9th August 2004 - Back to News

It’s time to give them up, says East Gippsland Councillor Jane Rowe.

Cr Rowe said the Shire supported Clean Up Australia’s `Say NO to Plastic Bags’ campaign and called on residents to stop accepting plastic bags, switch to reusable bags and increase recycling.

"More than six billion plastic bags are used across Australia every year and it’s estimated only three per cent are recycled. The rest end up in cupboards or in landfill," Cr Rowe said.

"If just half the bags we throw away each year are recycled, 18,350 tonnes of plastic would be returned to good use by being remanufactured into new bags, flowerpots, garden stakes, outdoor seating and stationery items."

Cr Rowe said many East Gippsland residents were aware of Clean Up Australia’s campaign.

A report released by the Minister for the Environment and Heritage, Senator Ian Campbell, reveals that Australians have slashed their plastic bag use by 29 per cent in the past six months.

The report is the first progress statement from the Australian Retailers Association on the new Code of Practice for the Management of Plastic Carry Bags. The Code aims to cut the total number of bags used by 25 per cent by the end of 2004, and by 50 per cent by the end of 2005.

Clean Up Australia's top tips on recycling plastic bags are:

• When unpacking your shopping, put all your used plastic bags into one bag, throw your bundle of plastic bags into the boot of your car then put it in the recycle bin next time you go to the supermarket.
• If your shopping is delivered, keep the plastic bags in a bundle and give them back to the driver when you receive your next delivery.
• Clean out those plastic bags stashed in cupboards and put them in the recycle bin next time you go to the supermarket.

Cr Rowe said retailers, schools and community groups who wanted to obtain marketing materials or suggestions on how they can get involved with the `Say NO to Plastic Bags’ campaign could contact Clean Up Australia on toll free on 1800 024 890.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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