Plan to bin plastic bags
CAIRNS retailers are preparing for the statewide single-use plastic bag ban on July 1.
The National Retail Association brought the message of change to the city yesterday to work with local traders and see how they were faring.
Retailers who fail to comply with the news laws from July 1 will face fines of over $6000.
NRA project coordinator Ebony Johnson said most Cairns retailers were adjusting to the shift without much issue.
“It is a big transition for some, but the response has been positive,” she said.
“The big challenge for retailers is to familiarise themselves with the legislation regarding what is being banned: all lightweight plastic bags less than 35 microns.”
The ban impacts all shops from big supermarket chains to small businesses.
Some big chains have already started with Woolworths and Coles bringing in reusable plastic bags, green bags and cloth bags for sale.
Ms Johnson said small takeout shops would need to be ready as people often bought from them without thinking of reusable bags.
Lorna Jane has embraced reusable bags for a long time.
Cairns Central Lorna Jane assistant manager Georgie Reichel said their reusable bags were quite popular.
“We have customers who use our bags with their grocery shopping as well,” she said.
Cairns Mayor Bob Manning said the move was part of the changing times toward being more environmentally conscious.
“Responsible environmental management is high on the priority list for all of us,” he said.
“Personally, I won’t be sad to see the end of plastic bags. You seem them blowing around the streets, getting into waterways.”
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