BINNING THE BAGS

THE WAR ON PLASTIC IS KICKING OFF IN EARNEST

Like VHS tapes, pagers, and rotary telephones, single-use plastic bags have become obsolete. The world over, governments have declared war on plastic and the Queensland government is no different. In 2017, the government sought feedback from the public on its proposed ban of single-use plastic bags. An overwhelming 96% supported the introduction of such a ban and on July 1, 2018, this ban will be implemented.

Included in the ban, are all single-use plastic bags, whether they are biodegradable or not. Certain plastic bags will not be banned, including bin liners, heavy duty department store bags, nappy bags and pet waste bags. To remove any doubt, think of the typical grocery store bag at check-out: these will all be banned.

The reasons and motivations behind this ban are well-known to all: cleaning up our towns and reducing the impact on our unique environment. While a philanthropic intent is likely shared by most (if not all) people, this ban will undoubtedly have an impact on the day-to-day operations of most households. We as a people have been using these plastic bags all our lives and, although this has been coming for a while now, a world without plastic bags will take some getting used to.

Luckily, there are several alternatives. Reusable hessian bags have been available for purchase for some time. They are commonly decorated in fun colours, cute pictures or environmental friendly messages. Like everything else, there will be a bag for every taste. Another option, is the heavy duty reusable plastic bags sold by most retailers. Any bags gathering dust around the house, should do, in fact.

Single-use plastic bags will soon be a thing of the past and, unlike vinyl, polaroid cameras and vintage typewriters, they will not be in vogue again 50 years from now.