Bendigo’s anti-plastic action group has welcomed the state government’s decision to ban single-use lightweight plastic bags across Victoria, as it looks to increase its own stocks of fabric bags.
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Plastic Wise Bendigo has secured Department of Justice labour to help sew Boomerang Bags – reusable fabric shopping bags.
In its early stages, the group planned to partner with local supermarkets to give consumers the option of using the recycled, fabric bags for free, providing they are returned on their next visit.
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However, given the volume of bags required, and the time and resources required to make a fabric bag, the group has reassessed, planning to partner with local businesses in the coming months.
Almost 400 bags have been made locally through the help of the Department of Justice and volunteers.
“I guess the impact (of the ban on single-use plastic bags) is further reach of the message,” Plastic Wise Bendigo co-leader Leanne James said.
“It’s great for us, it’s in line with what we're trying to achieve.”
Plastic bags are a major killer of marine animals, which can die from eating them or becoming entangled.
Australians use almost four billion plastic bags every year, which can take 1000 years to disintegrate.
In July Coles and Woolworths pledged to phase out single-use plastic bags within 12 months.
The Aldi supermarket chain does not provide single-use bags but sells multiple use bags for 15 cents and fabric bags for 99 cents.
