Bundaberg and Burnett community groups, businesses and schools are leading the way when it comes to protecting the environment, Member for Burnett Stephen Bennett told Parliament last night.
Mr Bennett’s comment follows new laws that were passed in Parliament last night to ban single-use plastic shopping bags.
In Parliament, Mr Bennett took the opportunity to praise various local community groups who have been proactive ahead of the laws by introducing initiatives to create a “cleaner, greener environment” for future generations.
“I cannot talk about positive environmental initiatives without mentioning the extraordinary work of Bargara local Carmen McEneany and Boomerang Bags Bundaberg,” he said.
“Bundaberg and Burnett businesses now stock reusable shopping bags made from donated recycling fabric to reduce the use of single-use plastic bags in the community.
“The reusable shopping bags have been handcrafted by local volunteers who have formed a group known as Boomerang Bags Bundaberg to cut back on waste.
“The campaign will have a significant impact on our local environment… the Boomerang Bags are changing people’s attitudes when they are out shopping and allowing our community to take the lead on reducing waste and pollution.”
Mr Bennett said it was encouraging to see local groups and businesses that were dedicated to reducing the reliance on plastics to cut back on waste and rid the region of plastic pollution.
He thanked the Discovery Coast Environment Group, A to Z Waste Recycling and the Bundaberg Christian College for their ongoing involvement and support of the reusable bag initiative.
Mr Bennett said on average a single-use plastic bag is used for just 12 minutes, but takes up to 1000 years to fully decompose.
“Every boomerang bag replaces about 700 plastic bags, and it is estimated that 100 recyclable bags will replace two tonne of plastic rubbish.”
ENDS.
Wednesday, 6 September 2017