A POLARISING plan to rid the region of the dreaded plastic bag has again come into the spotlight as more and more Wagga shoppers embrace re-usable bags.
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It comes after NSW Greens MP Dr Mehreen Faruqi demanded the government impose a state-wide ban on single use plastic bags after previously labelling it a “low priority.”
Wagga’s Bee Dee Bags, who manufacture plastic bags as well as paper, cloth and other sustainable bags, have welcomed the renewed debate in a surprising move.
Chairman Bruce Dicker understands why the discussion is taking place and said it shows the community’s values are changing.
“If it goes to paper bags or other material bags, they cost at least three times the amount so the shoppers will notice,” he said.
“At the same time they’re more environmental, and it appears that is becoming a big concern for people moving forward so I can see both sides.”
Single use plastic bags are already banned in South Australia, the Northern Territory, ACT and Tasmania.
It is estimated around 50 million bags are discarded and left to accumulate in the country’s environment every year, according to Clean Up Australia statistics.
Foodworks Lake Albert store owner Rodney Porter said that while the majority still used one-off plastic bags, there had been an uptake in the use of non-disposables.
“We’ve certainly seen more people bringing in their own bags to use, but most definitely still settle for plastic,” he said.
“I think people in our region are beginning to be more conscious of their impact on the environment so we’re seeing that change.
“There’s a positive to every negative though, what would people do while walking their dogs with no plastic bags.”
A hot topic among local shoppers, 55 per cent opposed the ban while 45 per cent supported it, according to a Daily Advertiser survey.
Chanel Caroll, buying groceries in an environmentally friendly green bag, said avoiding plastic bags was one of the easiest ways people could help “forge a better future".
“When me and my kids pop up to the shops we always bring our own bags because it’s something that’s just easy to do, and the right thing to do,” she said.
“If they don’t ban them they should at least put a surcharge on them to encourage sustainable bags."
