A MEETING early this year could initiate the phase out of single-use plastic bags in Augusta-Margaret River.
A working party, formed by the Shire of Augusta Margaret River and other local organisations, will educate the community about the implications of plastic bags.
Just by asking, we begin to think about whether we really do need disposable plastic.
- Laura Bailey, Plastic Free July local coordinator
Shire sustainability and planning officer Jared Drummond said a plan would be made to help local businesses eliminate plastic bags and promote biodegradable alternatives.
“The Shire aspires to be a clean, green WA leader by following in the footsteps of [other states] to phase out the environmental hazard of single-use plastic bags,” Mr Drummond said.
Tangaroa Blue director Renee Mouritz was pleased with the initiative.
“Reducing plastic bag waste will create awareness of plastic as an issue, which will have people look more at their plastic consumption,” she said.
This year, Tangaroa Blue volunteers collected 92 plastic bags from beaches in Augusta-Margaret River.
Tangaroa’s Wally Smith said the figure was down from 340 last year.
“The difference is mainly due to the late storms this year, which swept much of the rubbish out to sea,” he said.
As plastic bags tend to snag and sink, Mr Smith believed there would be a far greater number polluting the environment than recorded.
“It also means river and estuary systems are significantly impacted,” he said.
“The Australian average for inland waterways is 78 plastic bags per clean-up.”
A number of the Mail’s readers were in favour of removing plastic bags from supermarkets, however some said they reused them.
“I would be lost without my plastic bags – I reuse them for everything, especially when we go to picnics and the beach,” Wendy Miles stated.
Community group, Cape to Cape Plastic Free’s Laura Bailey said solutions were easy.
“Reusable bags are the best alternative for shoppers,” she said.
“Retailers can start to transition by training staff to ask customers if they need a bag.
“Just by asking, we begin to think about whether we really do need disposable plastic.”
She said there were big plans for the next Plastic Free July, which will help locals give up disposable bags, straws, coffee cups and drink bottles. For information, find the ‘MR Plastic Free July’ Facebook page.
A survey to help understand costs and benefits of a plastic bag ban can be found here.
What do you think? Should Margaret River banish plastic bags from all supermarkets? Send us a letter to the editor by emailing zannia.yakas@fairfaxmedia.com.au and we will print it in our next paper. Requires first name and town of residence.
