Photo by Brett Stanley, "Blind Spots” Illuminates the Issue of Plastic Pollution in the Oceans.Australia’s Nationwide Ban On Plastic Bags
We already know that Queensland and Western Australia will ban all single-use plastic bags by major retailers from July 1 this year, bringing all states into line with the ACT, South Australia and Tasmania. Victoria is set to follow in the footsteps of its neighbouring states. Only New South Wales have yet to propose a ban.
Despite the lack of a formal ban, however, major retailers Coles and Woolworths announced that since the other states were on board with the ban, it was easier for the two supermarket giants to simply withdraw the bags from all their stores.
There are a lot of ongoing controversies surrounding the ban on plastic bags. As a result, plastic bags have earned a bad reputation. However, banning them may have some negative effects, mainly repercussions on the economy and consumer convenience without making a significant improvement to the environment.
Increased Usage Of Other Alternatives
A ban on plastic bags may increase the usage of other not-so-great alternatives, like bin liners and large black garbage bags. This may decrease the use of plastic bags but it only shows that the use was simply displaced. The plastic in these alternatives are thicker and pose a bigger threat to the environment than thinner ones.
So, is the ban truly better for the environment? What are people saying about it?
Research firm Canstar Blue conducted a survey with 2,200 shoppers to find out what they thought of the ban. Here are the results:
Despite their views:
- 45 percent said bringing their own bags will be a hassle
- 58 percent said they were already saving bags to use in the future
The survey also found that:
- 46 percent already have the habit of bringing their own reusable bags
- 51 percent said checkout staff were partly to blame for inefficient packing and giving out too many bags in the past
However, shoppers who remembered to bring their own alternatives have lashed out at their peers, telling them to “suck it up”. There will, no doubt, be resentment as a simple trip to the supermarket will require a little more forward-planning from shoppers. It will also cost people more if they don’t bring their own bags every time.
Phasing out the use of plastic bags may be the best thing for the environment, but shoppers will need time to adjust. Supermarkets can expect frustration to boil over in the weeks ahead despite the ban being supported by most. There will still be shoppers turning up unprepared and shocked that they will need to find alternatives to carry their groceries home.
The moral of the story is...
You only have to look at social media to know there’s been an upswing in concern about the impact that plastic bags have on our oceans. Everyday, there is a new video showing plastic bags in some poor sea creature. People are already aware that they need to stop being concerned and start doing something practical. It's time to learn to bring your own bags. You'll be surprised by how quickly you stop using plastic bags and bin liners, too.
The best way to reduce the impact on the environment is by reusing them.
Want to pick up after your dog? Use the bread loaf plastic bags. They are longer, stronger and more practical. Need to go shopping? Use a washable cloth or cotton bag. Not only can you toss them into the machine to clean them but they can also hold more items and are reusable.
Still not convinced? Don’t worry, we’ve bagged (pun intended) these options up for you!
