Plastic Bags

� What can you do about Plastic Bags?

Tips for using alternative bags at the checkout

� What is council doing about Plastic Bags?

Shop Natural Community Education Program

Council is looking for calico bag sponsors.

� Retailers and Plastic Bags

What are retailers doing about Plastic Bags?

How can your business help?

� Suppliers of alternatives to Plastic Bags

Plastic Bag Facts�

� If every person in Parramatta local government area saved one plastic bag per week, we would save over 7.6 million bags � enough to stretch from Parramatta to close to Albany, Western Australia.

� Plastic bags last 20 -1000 years in our environment

� Only 3% of plastic bags are recycled

� HDPE bags are recyclable (these are the singlet-type bags)

� LDPE bags are not recyclable (these are the boutique-type bags)

� Plastic bags which are littered on our streets or in our drains can end up in our waterways � this results in the death of over 100,000 birds, whales, seals, turtles and other animals each year by choking or strangling

� Plastic bags are one of the most common items which contaminate Council�s domestic recycling bins � which means that the contents of the recycling bins end up going to landfill (the tip)

� 47% of wind borne litter escaping from landfills is plastic � much of this is plastic bags,� (www.planetark.com)

� Australians use 6.9 billion bags every year � enough to stretch around the world 42 and half times.

� Plastic bags are not free to consumers � they are actually adding an estimated $173 million a year to Australia�s grocery bills (www.planetark.com)

Why Reduce Plastic Bags?

Plastic bags have a detrimental impact on our environment. They become litter in our streets, parks and waterways, cause pollution and endanger and kill our wildlife. They also cost Council money, making up a large proportion of the domestic waste that we collect and transport to landfill, as well contaminating recycling collection bins, causing them to be unable to be recycled. For more information visit the Clean Up Australia Website www.cleanup.com.au

What Can You Do About Plastic Bags?

There are lots of simple things you can do to help reduce the number of plastic bags you use, and you may already be doing some�

� Take your own bag when shopping. There are many alternatives to using plastic bags, including calico, hemp, hessian and string bags, baskets, or boxes. Most of these are much stronger and hold more than plastic bags.

� If you are only buying a couple of items, consider carrying them or popping them into your handbag.

� Be aware that the thicker boutique style bags are not recyclable.

� Find a local supermarket that offers plastic bag recycling facilities or gives you boxes to pack your goods in.

� Keep your calico bags or alternative bags in your car or handbag so they are easier to remember when you go shopping.

� You can purchase plastic bags that are of a quality that are easier to biodegrade then the bags that you get shopping which would be a better choice to use for your garbage bin at home. You can however reuse your plastic bags as bin liners, but remember that plastic bags last anywhere from 20 -1000 years in landfill � it is better to reduce your usage of plastic bags rather than reuse them.

Tips for Using Alternative Bags at the Checkout

� Give your bags to the cashier and let them pack the bags

� Pack the bags yourself

� Pack your goods straight into trolley and then pack them in bags at your car

� Use boxes instead of bags � they are easier to pack and do not fall out of the bag in your car

� Set an example to the cashier and other shoppers � talk to them about why you are bringing your own bags

What is Council Doing About Plastic Bags?

The �Shop Natural� community education program

Are you interested in doing even more? Council is running a community education program called �Shop Natural�, which is aimed at reducing plastic bag usage in the community. We will be organising staffed displays at local shopping centres throughout 2004, and will be providing our community with information on the impacts of plastic bags on the environment, steps they can take to reduce plastic bag usage and giveaways of free calico bags for the community at local shopping centres.

Council is also promoting a plastic bag reduction scheme to retailers throughout the local government area, and is working with various Chambers of Commerce and businesses to help reduce plastic bag usage.

Council is looking for Calico Bag Sponsors

We are looking for sponsors to help produce the calico bags to give to our community. If you choose to become a sponsor of our calico bags, you will have your company name and/or logo printed on the bags and your company will be promoted at these displays.

For more information about being a sponsor, please contact Michelle Jones on telephone 9806 5896 or email mpjones@parracity.nsw.gov.au

For More Information

For more information about Council�s plastic bag reduction scheme, telephone Michelle Jones on 9806 5896.

To find out more about the impacts of plastic bags on our environment, and what else you can do to help, visit www.planetark.com/plasticbags.

Retailers and Plastic Bags

Did you know�the Federal Government and the Australian Retailers Association have agreed to cut the use of plastic check out bags by 25% by the end of 2004, rising to 50% by the end of 2005? Environment Ministers support the total phasing out of lightweight single-use plastic check out bags within 5 years.

The Australian Retailers Association also encourages members to adopt this "code of practice", in particular to avoid the possibility of a government tax on plastic bags. Their website (www.ara.com.au) states that "If the targets (stated above) are not achieved, it is highly likely that a tax of 25 cents per plastic bag will be applied. A tax would cost consumers millions of dollars and cause serious administrative and operational inefficiencies for retailers, and is likely to require system changes similar to those required to implement GST."

What are retailers doing about plastic bags?

� Bunning�s Warehouse and Ikea have both introduced a levy on plastic bags. Since September 2003 Bunning�s have seen a reduction of 43% in plastic bags.

� Retailers in the small town of Coles Bay (Tasmania) and Mogo (NSW) have both banned plastic bags in retail outlets. Plastic bags have been replaced with strong reusable paper bags with a handle, for 25c or reusable calico bag selling for $2.

� Woolworths and Coles supermarkets provide plastic bag recycling facilities to customers and also sell reusable alternatives such as calico bags. Aldi do not give away plastic bags, but sell alternatives.

How can your business help?

There are lots of simple things you can do to help reduce the use of plastic bags in your store, and you may already be doing some�

� Always ask customers first if they require a bag instead of automatically supplying them with every item.

� Educate staff on the importance of reducing plastic bag consumption, and how to pack bags more efficiently

� Monitor your store�s use of plastic bags � keep a record of the number of bags ordered and see if you can beat the amount and order less next month.

� If they are available in your shopping centre, promote plastic bag recycling facilities to your customers. If they are not available, consider providing a plastic bag recycling service at your store. Contact a plastic bag recycling collection company such as VISY recycling (1300 368 479) for more information.

� Offer inexpensive alternatives for sale in store eg. Calico bags and baskets for a natural look, or string bags and dyed cotton bags for something more colourful. Bags can be personalised with your store logo and special message.

� Consider providing free alternative packaging for customers who make large purchases, eg get a free calico bag for purchases over $100.

� Think about changing to, or trialling, biodegradable plastic bags. These bags can be designed to meet the needs of your current checkout processing design.

� Visit www.planetark.com/plasticbags for more information about plastic bags and how you can help reduce plastic bag usage.

Suppliers of Alternatives to Plastic Bags

For a listing of suppliers for alternatives to plastic bags click here. Many of these suppliers provide a custom printing service on their bags. Perhaps you could band together with neighbouring businesses and buy in bulk?


	[an error occurred while processing this directive]		PLASTIC BAGS Plastic Bags � Plastic Bag Facts � Why Reduce Plastic Bags? � What can you do about Plastic Bags? Tips for using alternative bags at the checkout � What is council doing about Plastic Bags? Shop Natural Community Education Program Council is looking for calico bag sponsors. � Retailers and Plastic Bags What are retailers doing about Plastic Bags? How can your business help? � Suppliers of alternatives to Plastic Bags Plastic Bag Facts� � If every person in Parramatta local government area saved one plastic bag per week, we would save over 7.6 million bags � enough to stretch from Parramatta to close to Albany, Western Australia. � Plastic bags last 20 -1000 years in our environment � Only 3% of plastic bags are recycled � HDPE bags are recyclable (these are the singlet-type bags) � LDPE bags are not recyclable (these are the boutique-type bags) � Plastic bags which are littered on our streets or in our drains can end up in our waterways � this results in the death of over 100,000 birds, whales, seals, turtles and other animals each year by choking or strangling � Plastic bags are one of the most common items which contaminate Council�s domestic recycling bins � which means that the contents of the recycling bins end up going to landfill (the tip) � 47% of wind borne litter escaping from landfills is plastic � much of this is plastic bags,� (www.planetark.com) � Australians use 6.9 billion bags every year � enough to stretch around the world 42 and half times. � Plastic bags are not free to consumers � they are actually adding an estimated $173 million a year to Australia�s grocery bills (www.planetark.com) Why Reduce Plastic Bags? Plastic bags have a detrimental impact on our environment. They become litter in our streets, parks and waterways, cause pollution and endanger and kill our wildlife. They also cost Council money, making up a large proportion of the domestic waste that we collect and transport to landfill, as well contaminating recycling collection bins, causing them to be unable to be recycled. For more information visit the Clean Up Australia Website www.cleanup.com.au What Can You Do About Plastic Bags? There are lots of simple things you can do to help reduce the number of plastic bags you use, and you may already be doing some� � Take your own bag when shopping. There are many alternatives to using plastic bags, including calico, hemp, hessian and string bags, baskets, or boxes. Most of these are much stronger and hold more than plastic bags. � If you are only buying a couple of items, consider carrying them or popping them into your handbag. � Be aware that the thicker boutique style bags are not recyclable. � Find a local supermarket that offers plastic bag recycling facilities or gives you boxes to pack your goods in. � Keep your calico bags or alternative bags in your car or handbag so they are easier to remember when you go shopping. � You can purchase plastic bags that are of a quality that are easier to biodegrade then the bags that you get shopping which would be a better choice to use for your garbage bin at home. You can however reuse your plastic bags as bin liners, but remember that plastic bags last anywhere from 20 -1000 years in landfill � it is better to reduce your usage of plastic bags rather than reuse them. Tips for Using Alternative Bags at the Checkout � Give your bags to the cashier and let them pack the bags � Pack the bags yourself � Pack your goods straight into trolley and then pack them in bags at your car � Use boxes instead of bags � they are easier to pack and do not fall out of the bag in your car � Set an example to the cashier and other shoppers � talk to them about why you are bringing your own bags What is Council Doing About Plastic Bags? The �Shop Natural� community education program Are you interested in doing even more? Council is running a community education program called �Shop Natural�, which is aimed at reducing plastic bag usage in the community. We will be organising staffed displays at local shopping centres throughout 2004, and will be providing our community with information on the impacts of plastic bags on the environment, steps they can take to reduce plastic bag usage and giveaways of free calico bags for the community at local shopping centres. Council is also promoting a plastic bag reduction scheme to retailers throughout the local government area, and is working with various Chambers of Commerce and businesses to help reduce plastic bag usage. Council is looking for Calico Bag Sponsors We are looking for sponsors to help produce the calico bags to give to our community. If you choose to become a sponsor of our calico bags, you will have your company name and/or logo printed on the bags and your company will be promoted at these displays. For more information about being a sponsor, please contact Michelle Jones on telephone 9806 5896 or email mpjones@parracity.nsw.gov.au For More Information For more information about Council�s plastic bag reduction scheme, telephone Michelle Jones on 9806 5896. To find out more about the impacts of plastic bags on our environment, and what else you can do to help, visit www.planetark.com/plasticbags. Retailers and Plastic Bags Did you know�the Federal Government and the Australian Retailers Association have agreed to cut the use of plastic check out bags by 25% by the end of 2004, rising to 50% by the end of 2005? Environment Ministers support the total phasing out of lightweight single-use plastic check out bags within 5 years. The Australian Retailers Association also encourages members to adopt this "code of practice", in particular to avoid the possibility of a government tax on plastic bags. Their website (www.ara.com.au) states that "If the targets (stated above) are not achieved, it is highly likely that a tax of 25 cents per plastic bag will be applied. A tax would cost consumers millions of dollars and cause serious administrative and operational inefficiencies for retailers, and is likely to require system changes similar to those required to implement GST." What are retailers doing about plastic bags? � Bunning�s Warehouse and Ikea have both introduced a levy on plastic bags. Since September 2003 Bunning�s have seen a reduction of 43% in plastic bags. � Retailers in the small town of Coles Bay (Tasmania) and Mogo (NSW) have both banned plastic bags in retail outlets. Plastic bags have been replaced with strong reusable paper bags with a handle, for 25c or reusable calico bag selling for $2. � Woolworths and Coles supermarkets provide plastic bag recycling facilities to customers and also sell reusable alternatives such as calico bags. Aldi do not give away plastic bags, but sell alternatives. How can your business help? There are lots of simple things you can do to help reduce the use of plastic bags in your store, and you may already be doing some� � Always ask customers first if they require a bag instead of automatically supplying them with every item. � Educate staff on the importance of reducing plastic bag consumption, and how to pack bags more efficiently � Monitor your store�s use of plastic bags � keep a record of the number of bags ordered and see if you can beat the amount and order less next month. � If they are available in your shopping centre, promote plastic bag recycling facilities to your customers. If they are not available, consider providing a plastic bag recycling service at your store. Contact a plastic bag recycling collection company such as VISY recycling (1300 368 479) for more information. � Offer inexpensive alternatives for sale in store eg. Calico bags and baskets for a natural look, or string bags and dyed cotton bags for something more colourful. Bags can be personalised with your store logo and special message. � Consider providing free alternative packaging for customers who make large purchases, eg get a free calico bag for purchases over $100. � Think about changing to, or trialling, biodegradable plastic bags. These bags can be designed to meet the needs of your current checkout processing design. � Visit www.planetark.com/plasticbags for more information about plastic bags and how you can help reduce plastic bag usage. Suppliers of Alternatives to Plastic Bags For a listing of suppliers for alternatives to plastic bags click here. Many of these suppliers provide a custom printing service on their bags. Perhaps you could band together with neighbouring businesses and buy in bulk?