As part of Plastic Free July, it is necessary to look at one of the most serious offenders when it comes to plastic as an environmental hazard.
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We refer to the humble plastic bag, which has been with us for thirty years.
Worldwide we use and discard around one trillion of them per annum.
According to Clean up Australia, Australians use 3.92 trillion plastic bags a year, which accounts for 10 million bags being used.
These bags find their way into landfill or end up in the litter stream, where they fill our streams and oceans.
Clean up Australia research estimates that eighty percent of the rubbish dumped into the world's oceans is plastic. They are responsible for killing more than a million seabirds every year.
Obviously, we must reduce our use of plastic bags.
There must be a concerted effort to raise awareness of the problem, provide education about what we can do about it as individuals and communities, and for the government to provide leadership and support.
There is ample evidence of the problem provided for us through the media and publicised events such as Plastic Free July and Clean up Australia Day.
We have been confronted with evidence of the environmental devastation caused by plastic bags through graphic footage of seabirds that have died from ingesting plastic.
There would be very few Australians who are unaware that plastic problem.
We do not lack a supply of alternatives to single-use plastic bags. Today most supermarkets and retail outlets offer a range of alternatives to plastic bags at reasonable prices.
Public information is not lacking.
What is lacking is legislative support for change. We are too comfortable with the plastic in our lives.
An effective complement to awareness and alternatives is Government legislation.
South Australia, the Northern Territory, the ACT and Tasmania have all banned single use singlet style plastic bags with good results in terms of reduction landfill and litter.
Queensland has put the issue on their agenda for waste management reform.
Unfortunately, New South Wales has yet to consider a ban.
We need to continue to use alternatives.
Of equal importance is the necessity for our State Government to join the other states who have taken the lead by imposing a ban.
Environmental Event: ECCO public meeting July, 27 at 7.30pm. Orange Environmental Learning Facility, Orange Showground.
Topic: The Management of contaminated sites in Orange. All welcome